The Shepherd's Rod Volume 1

ISA. 58:1"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew My people their transgression,and the house of Jacob their sins."

The Shepherd's Rod Volume 1

The 144,000 of Revelation 7-- Call For Reformation

ByV.T. Houteff

Volume OnePrinted in U.S.A.

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THE SHEPHERD'S ROD, Vol. 1Copyright 1930 By V.T. Houteff

Mechanical Drawing Done By Martin S. Ramstat

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THE SHEPHERD'S ROD book, Vol. 1

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PREFACE

It is the intention of this book to reveal the truth of the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7 butthe chief object of this publication is to bring about a reformation among God's people. The truthherein contained is divided into seven sections, giving proof from seven different angles, toprevent any doubt or confusion. This subject is made clear by the use of the Bible and thewritings given by the Spirit of Prophecy.

The truth revealed here is of great importance to the church just now because of the foretolddanger which God's people are soon to meet. It calls for decided action on the part of thebelievers to separate themselves from all worldlings and worldliness; to anchor themselves on theSolid Rock by obedience to all the truth known to this denomination, if we must escape the greatruin. "The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: Hear yethe rod, and who hath appointed it." Micah 6:9.

--AUTHOR.

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CONTENTS

Preface.

Topical Index.

Introduction Of Contents.

Section 1. The One Hundred And Forty-Four Thousand. Section 2. The Four Classes Of The Redeemed. Section 3. Esau And Jacob. Section 4. Who Is Israel By The Promise? Section 5. The Prophecy Of Ezekiel Four. Section 6. Synopsis Of Isaiah Chapters. Section 7. What Is The Meaning Of The Fourth Chapter Of Micah? Summary Of Lessons Of Reform--What Makes Infidels? Summary Of The 144,000. Summary Chart Of Both Lessons. How To check Up Contents Presented, If Authentic. Micah Six And Seven--Prophecy Of The Book, Time Due For Publication. The Duty--Who Receives The Truth. Objections That May Arise.

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TOPICAL INDEX

Introduction of Contents.Preface.Section 1.

THE ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND 13 Matters Not, So Long As One Does Right 14 Meaning Of Seven Years Of Plenty And Seven Years Of Famine 15 Seven Years Of Plenty, And Seven Years Of Famine 19 Who Are The 144,000? 20 Do The 144,000 Ever Die? 22 Will Sister White Be With The 144,000 24 Only 144,000 Enter Temple 25 What Kind Of Seal Is It? 26 The Two Seals 27 Ezekiel 9 Is Not A Sabbath Seal 29 Sealing Begins--Church At Low Ebb 30 Cause Of Sighing And Crying 33 Partial List Of Abominations In The Church 34 Will This Sealing Continue To The Close Of Probation? 35 Five Men Follow The One 37 Distinction Between 144,000 And Other Saints 38

Section 2.

THE FOUR CLASSES OF THE REDEEMED 41 Class 1 41 Class 2 42 Class 3 42 Class 4 42 Types And Anti-types 43 An Explanation Of Early Writings, Page 15 45 Elijah Represents The 144,000 46 Moses--Type Of Resurrection Of Just 47 Type Of Special Resurrection 47 The Type Of The Second Resurrection 48 Type Of The Second Death 48 Procession Of The Redeemed 49 An Explanation Of The Writer's Inkhorn Of Early Writings, Page 279 51

Section 3.

ESAU AND JACOB 52 Symbol Of Struggle 54 The Time And Church 54 Two Classes of People 55 Symbol Of Birthright 55

WHO IS ISRAEL BY THE PROMISE? 64 Years Of Plenty--And Famine 68 Joseph Type Of Christ 68 Pharaoh, Type Of-- 69 The Beginning Of Famine 70 Egyptians, Type Of Gentiles 70 Egyptians Sold Themselves To Pharaoh 71 Joseph Removes People Throughout Egypt 72 70 Souls, Type Of Organization 73 Jacob Type Of James 75 The Land Of Goshen 76 Joseph Nourished Israel 76 Shepherds 77 Another Pharaoh Arose 77 Taskmasters 77 Furnish Straw No More 81 Midwives 86 Male Children In The Nile 87 Male Children Of Denomination--How Drowned 88 Moses Found By Princess 89 Moses' Choice 90 Moses' Misconception 90 The Application Of The Type 91 Moses In The Wilderness 93 Application Of The Lesson 94 The Shepherd's Rod 95 Death Of Firstborn 96

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The Passover Lamb 97 The Red Sea 99 Mount Sinai 100 New Name Given To Church 100 What Is The Number Of Israel? 101 What Constitutes The Remnant? 102 Cloud By Day--Fire By Night 104 Joseph, Type Of Christ 105 Pharaoh, Type Of Leaders 106 The 430 Years Of Sojourning And Affliction 108 Co-incident Chart 112-113

Section 5.

THE PROPHECY OF EZEKIEL FOUR, And What Transpires Within The 390 Days 114 Wheat, Symbol Of Faith 118 Barley, Symbol Of Spirit 118 Beans, Symbol Of grace 118 Lentils, Type Of Doctrine Of Baptism By Immersion 119 Millet, Symbol Of 2300 Days 119 Spelt, Symbol Of The Sabbath In Connection With Sanctuary 120 All In One Vessel 120 Barley Cake 122 "I will Lay Bands Upon Thee" 122 "Thou Shalt Drink Also Water" 122 Meat by Weight--Water By Measure 123 Explanation Of Ezekiel 4:12, 14, 15 123 The Forty Days, And What Transpires Within 125 Seven--Perfect Number 126 The Siege 128 Separation In Principle 129 Time Of Spiritual Hunger 130

Isaiah 59--A Redeemer Promised To A Penitent People 150 Isaiah 60--The Final Triumph Of The Righteous 152 Isaiah 61--Builders Of The Old Waste Places 153 Isaiah 62--The Holy People--The Lord's Redeemed 154 Isaiah 63--Afflicted For His People's Sake 156 His Redeemed 157 Isaiah 65--A People Prepared For A New Heaven And A New Earth 160 Isaiah 66--The Ingathering From The Gentiles: Worship In The New Earth 165

Section 7.

What Is The Meaning Of The FOURTH CHAPTER OF MICAH? 173

SUMMARY OF LESSONS OF REFORM--What Makes Infidels 182 God Reveals Secrets To His Prophets 196 God's Law--How Broken? 198 Is The Church In An Excellent Condition? 198 What Has Been Gained During The Past Quadrennium 201 Answer To The Indian's Argument Of Pages 182-183 204 How Can Christians Get To Heaven If The Distance Is So Great? 205

SUMMARY CHART--Explanation Of Types 223 Old Testament (Section Two) 223 Summary Chart Of Types 224 Old Testament (Section Three) 225 New Testament (Section One) 227 New testament (Section two) 227 New Testament (Section Three) 228 Old Testament (Section One)-- Melchizedek, King Of Salem 229 How To Check Up On Contents Presented. (If Authentic) 231 Micah Six And Seven--Prophecy Of The Book, Time Due For Publication 236 The Duty--Who Receives The Truth 245 Objections That May Arise 246

THIS publication contains only one main subject with a double lesson; namely, the 144,000, anda call for reformation. The object in view is to prepare God's people for the impending doom ofEzekiel's prophecy, chapter 9. There is no new doctrine taught, neither does it condemn the ones wehave. The wonderful light between its pages shines upon a large number of scriptures which we havehad no understanding of heretofore. The interpretation of these scriptures is supported entirely bythe writings of Sr. E.G. White, that is termed the Spirit of Prophecy.

This publication does not advocate a new movement, and it absolutely opposes such moves. Itbrings out a positive proof which cannot be contradicted that the Seventh-day Adventist church hadbeen used by God to carry on His work since 1844.

The following is a partial list of Bible chapters: Revelation 7; 13:1-3. Isaiah 4, and chapters 54 to 66 inclusive. Ezekiel 4 and 9. Micah 4 to 7 inclusive. The Exodus Movement. The Patriarchate Types. The "Loud Cry." A Complete Explanation Of The 144,000. Meaning Of Esau And Jacob. Martin Luther's Act In Prophecy. The Typical And Anti-typical Periods.

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The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: Let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the Lord our God; lest He fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword. Ex. 5:3.

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SECTION I.

The One Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand

This subject of Revelation 7 is doubtless the most frequently discussed Bible subject by Seventh-dayAdventists and other Bible students, than any other Biblical truth. Many theories have been advancedby the denomination, but not one has stood the test without contradiction. Great men of both Biblicaland secular knowledge have diligently searched the Bible and have proved nothing as to who thiscompany is.

We read in Great Controversy, page 397: "The spirit of error will lead us from the truth, and theSpirit of God will lead us into truth. But, say you, a man may be in an error, and think he has thetruth. What then? We answer, The Spirit and word agree. If a man judges himself by the word ofGod, and finds a perfect harmony through the whole word, then he must believe he has the truth; butif he finds the spirit by which he is led does not harmonize with the whole tenor of God's law or book,then let him walk carefully, lest he be caught in the snare of the devil."

Sister E.G. White was doubtless far more acquainted with this subject than any one living at thistime, for she wrote much about them and had visions of them. There is no doubt that she, too, spentmuch time in searching both from the Bible and her own writings, but she has failed to point out theexact company by assembling the references together, and clear the mystery. The question is: Whyhave all these godly people who earnestly searched for the truth failed to produce any evidence as towho this wonderful company really is? The answer we give is: Because it was not present truth intheir time.

Sister White could have given a theory of some kind far more fitting and correct than any othertheory ever advanced. She used wisdom and good judgment in leaving out her own opinion. Godwill make these things known at the appointed time only. Men may

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be made to believe a thing for a while, but except it be truth, it cannot last. Thus it would be unwiseand a waste of time for one to try to tell who the 144,000 are, until the scroll has made a turn and onetruth reveals another. If this study would unmask the mystery and harmonize with the Scriptures andthe Spirit of Prophecy, then we must conclude that God's appointed time for this subject has come.

Sister White had received inspiration on this subject, but, like Daniel, was not permitted to knowwho, how, and when made, until Gods appointed time. The following is a quotation made by her toElder E.E. Andross: "I feel confident, Elder Andross, that the brethren in Southern California willfind blessing in reviewing the teachings of Scripture concerning the 144,000 and bringing to bearupon these teachings whatever of light there may be in the published writings of the Spirit ofProphecy, and as prayerful consideration is given the matter in all its bearings, I believe that God willmake the truth sufficiently clear to make possible the avoidance of needless and unprofitable questionsnot vital to the salvation of precious souls."

Some day this subject must be understood, for Inspiration makes no useless statements, and itcannot be in the Bible for a trinket. It must be understood before the number (144,000) is made orit would be of no value. When understood, it will guide the feet of the 144,000 in the straight pathjust as the first, second, and third angel's messages have led thousands of souls to Christ.

Matters Not, So Long As One Does Right?

It has been said by some that it matters not whether one understands the subject of the 144,000 ornot, so long as he does right. This is certainly true if we DO RIGHT, but how do we know whetherwe do right or not, except we understand Bible doctrines? How can we know whether we keep theright Sabbath, or belong to the right church, unless we understand that doctrine? Why is it importantto understand Daniel 7, the beast and his image, and many other Bible prophecies? If we do notunderstand the subject of the 144,000, we may not be sealed, for it would be worthless to understand

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it after the sealing, just as it would be of no value to understand the beast and his image after his workon earth is finished.

The angel's message of Revelation 7--the angel ascending from the east--is as important as the first,second, and third angel's messages of Rev. 14:6-11. It must be understood and given to the peopleat the right time, as also the mighty angel of Rev. 18:1. The loud cry must come at a given time. Thisangel of Revelation 7, can not be the third angel, for John's explanation of them differ. The threeangels of Revelation 14 are flying in the midst of heaven, or where the sun stands at noon, but the oneof Revelation 7, is ascending from the east, or the rising of the sun. The message of this angel hasnever been understood at any time, nor proclaimed by this denomination or any other people, andonly theories have been advanced. It is evident that this truth, as other truths, must come at the righttime.

Meaning Of Seven Years Of Plenty And Seven Years Of Famine Found Only One Way

When the perplexing subject is made clear, then we must believe that the time is here, but this asall Bible truth, is found only one way, and in one place; namely, the storehouse (the Bible). Bear inmind that as Joseph of ancient days controlled the storehouse, even so Christ controls the Scripturesand the times. Many godly men in the past went to Christ (Joseph) and got all the present truth(corn) for that particular time that they could assimilate. While He (Christ) is liberal, He is alsocareful, and therefore has nothing to waste. When Joseph gathered the corn in Egypt and stored itin the storehouses, he did it not for wealth, but to sustain life in the next seven years of famine. Thecorn was a symbol of Christ's Word as we shall endeavor to prove.

Reasons for believing that the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine in the days ofJoseph in ancient Egypt represent the world's history in two sections of time are as follows:

In Volume 3, page 369, we read, "Isaac was a figure of the Son of God, who was offered a sacrificefor the sins of the world." Again

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we read in Desire of Ages, page 112, "And in the ram divinely provided in the place of Isaac,Abraham saw a symbol of Him who was to die for the sins of men." Thus Isaac and the ram aresymbols of Christ's submission, death, and sacrifice.

Of Jonah, we read in Desire of Ages, page 406, "As Jonah was three days and three nights in thebelly of the whale, Christ was to be the same time 'in the heart of the earth.' And as the preaching ofJonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so Christ's preaching was a sign to His generation." See alsoProphets and Kings, page 274.

Elisha was a symbol of Christ. Prophets and Kings, page 240: "Like the Saviour of mankind, ofwhom he was a type, Elisha in his ministry among men combined the work of healing with that ofteaching." These are the reasons why Isaac, Jonah, and Elisha are types of Christ, representing thedifferent phases and imports of the work of Christ.

Of Joseph we read in Patriarchs and Prophets, page 369: "Joseph was a representative of Christ. In their benefactor to whom all Egypt turned with gratitude and praise, that heathen people were tobehold the love of their Creator and Redeemer." Egypt was an idolatrous nation, and is a symbol ofthe world in sin. Joseph was a type of Christ, the sovereign of the world. As Joseph was sent intoEgypt to preserve life; just so Christ was sent into the world (Egypt) to preserve life. Quoting fromPatriarchs and Prophets, page 231, we read: "And God sent me before you to preserve you aposterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance." Thus it is written that thesedeliverances were an object lesson of spiritual blessing. But how did Joseph bless the ancient world? Was it not by the corn he preserved in the seven years of plenty? Had it not been for the immensestorehouses full of life-giving energy, what blessing could Joseph have been to the ancient world wereit not for his God-given wisdom to gather the corn with which to feed the world in the time of itsgreat need? The corn which Joseph preserved is the blessing as it is written, the corn representsspiritual blessing (the Word of God). God's Word is spiritual bread and men have lived on it.

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"Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto thehouse of Israel." Ezek. 3:1. "Thy words were found, and I did eat them and thy word was unto methe joy and rejoicing of mine heart: For I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts." Jer. 15:16. "And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven." Ps.78:24. "Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread [corn] fromheaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not thatbread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven." John 6:31, 32. "To himthat overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna." Rev. 2:17. "And I took the little book outof the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: And as soon as I had eatenit, my belly was bitter." Rev. 10:10.

The latter prophecy has been applied to William Miller after he had studied the book of Daniel andaccepted its teaching. Symbolically speaking, he ate the little book, which became a part of him andhis co-workers. Had this not been true, he would not have proclaimed the message with suchenthusiasm as he did. As the expected event failed to transpire in 1844, to them it was a bitterexperience, thus fulfilling the Scriptures that men have eaten the Word of God.

If the corn does not represent the Word as in the Bible, then the question may be asked, Of whatis Joseph a type? Isaac, Jonah, and Elisha each represent a certain phase of Christ's work, and ifJoseph represents Christ; the food gathered,--the Word; the storehouse,--the Bible, then the sevenyears of plenty, during which time the food was gathered must be a symbol, otherwise the picturecould not be perfect; and if the years of plenty are a type, then the years of famine must be taken intoconsideration. Each of these two sections of time bear the number "seven," meaning "perfect",fullness of time (entire, or all of the time).

The symbol can represent only one thing, and that is the world's history in two great divisions oftime; namely B.C. and A.D. with

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the cross (Christ), the dividing line. "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John." It isfor this reason Jesus made the statement for we have no other thus far. The years of plenty is B.C. in which time God gave plenty to supply the world's need for the years of famine (New Testamenttime, A.D.). As Joseph gathered the corn into storehouses by his servants,--the Egyptians, just soChrist gathered the Word of God (spiritual food) in the Bible (the storehouse) by His servants, theprophets. "God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by theprophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of allthings, by whom also He made the worlds." Heb. 1:1, 2. Had it not been for this purpose then weask, what could it have been for? God who was responsible for the event did it not to bring hardshipsto His subjects, or to starve the world, as the famine was not in Egypt only, for we read, "And thefamine was over all the face of the earth." Gen. 41:56. Had this not been the symbol, why would Godhave brought the famine over all the earth? Some people may have difficulty in being convinced, andothers can never be convinced, but the harmony of the lesson can hardly be questioned.

If the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine are not a type of the world's history;Joseph's immense storehouses not a type of the Bible; the corn gathered in the seven years of plentynot a type of the Word in the Bible; the feeding of the world not a type of the New Testament timeconsuming the Scriptures gathered in the Old Testament time; then we ask, Where are the types forall these events? Has not God given the gospel in types as well as in prophecy? "Christ was thefoundation of the Jewish economy. The whole system of types and symbols was compacted prophecyof the gospel, a presentation in which were bound up the promises of redemption.'' Acts of theApostles, page 14. If the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine did not represent theworld's history, the coincidents as well shall endeavor to bring forth could hardly have been possibleby an accident. Jesus said, "Gather up the crumbs

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that there be no waste." It was His Word that multiplied the loaves and fishes; these crumbsrepresent the very words He spoke.

We read the following in Volume 2, page 606: "I am authorized from God to tell you that notanother ray of light through the Testimonies will shine upon your pathway, until you make a practicaluse of the light already given." But now we must have corn or else we shall die. As a people wehave much boasted that we have all the truth, but such a statement can not be found between thepages of the Spirit of Prophecy. "Not another ray of light will shine upon your pathway until youmake a practical use of the light already given." These words suggest that there is more light to shine,and light is truth. Again, quoting from Testimonies to Ministers, page 107: "No one should claim thathe has all the light there is for God's people. The Lord will not tolerate this. He has said, 'I have setbefore thee an open door, and no man can shut it.' Even if all our leading men should refuse light andtruth, that door will still remain open. The Lord will raise up men who will give the people themessage for this time."

Seven Years Of Plenty, And Seven Years Of Famine

The seven years of plenty and seven years of famine in the days of Joseph in ancient Egypt representthe world's history in two sections of time as previously explained; namely B.C. and A.D. Each oneof these sections bears the Biblical number seven" (meaning complete). The seven years of plentyis B.C. Though one may doubt the application made here, the lesson we receive from it is true. Inthe Old Testament time, God gave plenty through His prophets, and Christ (Joseph) stored it in thestorehouse (Bible), but as we have no record that there was any of the corn left when the seven yearsof famine had passed, neither was there any shortage. Therefore it is plain, that all the Scriptures areto be understood (used up) before the second coming of Christ.

there came up out of the river seven kine, fat-fleshed and well favored; and they fed in a meadow:And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, Poor and very ill favored and lean-fleshed, suchas I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness: And the lean and the ill favored kine did eat upthe first seven fat kine." Note that the seven lean and ill favored kine did eat the fat-fleshed kine. Byreading Gen. 41:21, we find the seven lean kine did not put on flesh after consuming the seven fatkine, which indicates that there will be no scriptures in reserve, but that all will be brought to light. The thought is that the seven years (A.D.) will consume all the corn (Word) in the seven years (B.C.)as represented also by the ears of corn in Gen. 41:22-24. Is this not clear that all the writings in theOld Testament will be fulfilled and understood before the end of A.D. (the second coming of Christ)? But is it not true that the biggest part or portion is not yet understood? How can one say that he hasall the truth and does not and cannot explain a large portion of the Bible? Shall we pray to God toopen our eyes that we may see and arise from this Laodicean lethargy into which we have fallen?

Who Are The 144,000?

The subject is, "Who are the 144,000?" First mention of this number in the Bible is in Rev. 7:4:"And I heard the number of them which were sealed: And there were sealed an hundred and forty andfour thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel." Rev. 7:2. "And I saw another angel ascendingfrom the east, having the seal of the living God: And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels,to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea." Note that this angel is ascending and notdescending. In contrast to this, Rev. 18:1 says, "And after these things I saw another angel comedown from heaven, having great power, and the earth was lightened with his glory." This mightyangel is not ascending, descending, nor coming, but "come." If the angel made the trip from heavento earth in less than 15 minutes in answer to prayer (Dan. 9:4-23), while it takes light millions of yearsto travel part of the distance, we

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can easily understand why the expression "but come" is used, meaning suddenly appearing withoutwarning. This angel is the Loud Cry angel, an addition to the third angel and the message of the fallof Babylon as given by the second angel is repeated, as foretold in the 18th chapter of Revelation. The people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet.

Early Writings, page 277: "Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth,to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power andglory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. Thelight which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice,'Babylon is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit,and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.' The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by thesecond angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been enteringthe churches since 1844. The work of this angel, comes in at the right time to join in the last greatwork of the third angel's message, as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus preparedto stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting uponthem, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel's message...This message seemed to bean addition to the third message, joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel's message in1844."

Of the three angels of Rev. 14:6-11, John writes: "And I saw another angel fly in the midst ofheaven,...and the third angel followed them." These angels, following each other, were seen flyingin the midst of heaven where the sun would be at mid-day, in its full strength. There is a differencebetween these angels and the ones in Revelation 7 and 18:1. These angels are neither "ascending"nor "come," but continue to "fly in the midst of heaven." The meaning is that these angels' messagesare not as powerful as the one of Rev. 18:1, for John says he saw the angel "come," that is, standupon the earth. The angel mentioned here is near by, but the other three

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angels are at a distance. This symbol shows that they could not be as powerful as the one that is closeby, but these three angels are flying and continue to fly. The meaning is that while they are not aspowerful, they continue a long time until this other angel of Rev. 18:1 joins in with them, as it hasbeen with the first, second, and third angel's messages until now.

We go back to the angel of Revelation 7, the one in which we are most interested at the presenttime. This particular angel is ascending from the east. "Ascending" here could not mean departingor flying away, but simply coming, or advancing. For example, in the morning while the sun is risingor ascending, the temperature gains in heat as it nears mid-day, just so with this angel that is to sealthe 144,000. The angel was seen coming, but he is taking time. The sealing cannot begin until afterhe arrives, for the seal of the living God is in his possession. If we can locate the time when he arriveswe may know the beginning of the sealing time of the 144,000. Did we know the time when the firstsecond, and third angel's messages began? Our answer is: Yes.

There is no reason for not knowing the definite time when this angel of Revelation 7 arrives. If wedid not know the time, we would have no message, and if Satan can deceive us from present truth,he has won with his deceptive powers. John's prophecy in Revelation 7, of this ascending angel wasonly a vision of something to come, and the fulfillment of this prophecy was realized when SisterWhite was given her first vision in 1844, which was a vision of the 144,000. Read Early Writings,pages 13-20. John prophesied of this movement and the scene of the angel ascending in the east(John's vision) became a reality in 1844, but the angel is in the east, and we must await his arrival, forwhen he arrives, the sealing begins.

Do The 144,000 Ever Die?

"The living saints, 144,000 in number;" we must not conclude that only a part of the whole canconstitute the number and yet be true, for the statement made by Inspiration cannot be contradictedfor

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it reads "144,000 in number." When mention is made of this company, it is at the same time whenGod makes known the day and hour of Jesus coming. If we can locate at what time of the world'shistory God speaks the day and hour of Jesus' coming, then we may know more about this company. Quoting Early Writings, page 285: "But there was one clear place of settled glory, whence came thevoice of God like many waters, shaking the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. The graves were opened, and those who had died in faith under the third angel's message, keepingthe Sabbath, came forth....And as God spoke the day and the hour of Jesus' coming, and deliveredthe everlasting covenant to His people."

One may here suppose that the risen and the living make the number, but we do not believe theSpirit of Prophecy would call both companies (the living and the resurrected) living saints. The144,000 are living saints; the others, resurrected Sabbath keepers. To make it positive, anotherreference is given, found in Great Controversy, page 637: "Great hailstones, every one 'about theweight of a talent,' are doing their work of destruction. The proudest cities of the earth are laidlow....Graves are opened, and "many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth...awake, some toeverlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." All who have died in the faith of thethird angel's message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God's covenant of peace with thosewho have kept His law." This makes it positive that the resurrected Sabbath keepers come forth inthe special resurrection of Daniel 12. This is the time when the great hailstones are doing theirdestructive work (7th plague). "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air;...And therefell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: And menblasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great." Rev.16:17, 21. The resurrected Sabbath keepers did not live during the time of the plagues, for they wereresurrected at the time of the seventh plague, so that they hear the announcement of the day and thehour of Jesus' coming.

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If evidence can be brought to view that the 144,000 (in number) lived before the seventh plague,then we have positive proof that the 144,000 never died. Great Controversy, page 649: "And theysing 'a new song' before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the 144,000. It is the songof Moses and the Lamb,--a song of deliverance. None but the 144,000 can learn that song; for it isthe song of their experience,--an experience such as no other company have ever had....They haveseen the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the sun having power to scorch men with greatheat, and they themselves have endured suffering, hunger, and thirst." Here is a positive statementthat the 144,000 lived in the time of the fourth plague, the sun having power to scorch men with greatheat. "And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him toscorch men with fire." Rev. 16:8. This is the fourth plague. How could they (144,000) go throughthe fourth plague if the special resurrection of the Sabbath keepers (those who died under the thirdangel's message) did not take place until about the end of the seventh plague? If "they have seen theearth wasted with famine and pestilence and they themselves have suffered hunger and thirst", theymust have lived through all the plagues.

Again, "They sing a new song"....which no man can learn save the 144,000....for it is the song oftheir experience,--an experience such as no other company have ever had." How can it be possiblefor all to sing the same song if it is a song of their experience except they all have the sameexperience? Those who had been in the grave would have the experience of death, grave,resurrection, and receiving a new body. But those who never died have seen the fulfillment of Ezekiel9; Isaiah 63; Isaiah 60; the closing of the third angel's message, (the loud cry, close of probation), allof the seven last plagues, and they sing this song (of their experience and deliverance) "which no mancan learn save the 144,000."

Will Sister White Be With The 144,000?

Sister White was taken in vision to one of the planets which had

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seven moons, where she met good old Enoch. This place was so beautiful and her desire for it sokeen, she begged the angel to let her stay. "Then the angel said, 'You must go back, and if you arefaithful, you, with the 144,000 shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing thehandiwork of God'." See Early Writings, page 40. There is no contradiction in this statement, for theangel told her that she, with the 144,000, meaning she is one with them but not one of them. She willdoubtless be with them for she may be termed as the mother of them (being the messenger andfounder of this movement), nor can we suppose they will sing the song of Moses and he (Moses) notbe there. Because they are the 144,000, a special company with a special experience, is no reasonwhy others could not travel with them, for undoubtedly Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be with them,being the fathers in type. What objection could be made if others would journey with them? We maysuppose that Jesus would give to all the redeemed at least one trip to the other worlds.

Only 144,000 Enter Temple

"And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, 'Only the144,000 enter this place', and we shouted, 'Alleluia.' This temple was supported by seven pillars allof transparent gold, set with pearls most glorious. The wonderful things I there saw, I cannotdescribe....I saw there tables of stone in which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters ofgold. After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out." Early Writings, page 19. It is clear thatno others were to enter the holy temple except the 144,000, and again it is clear that she went in, forshe says, "The wonderful things I there saw, I cannot describe," and "after we beheld the glory of thetemple, we went out." She could not see the things inside the temple unless she had gone in, and shecould not have come out if she had never entered in.

Some may think that Sister White is one of the 144,000 because she entered this temple, and nowthat she is dead that part of the

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144,000 will be resurrected. There is no cause for confusion here. She could have entered the templebefore, or after, or she could have gone right along with them, and still it would not change thethought. We must remember this is only a vision and not the real 144,000. They were not made upat that time, neither was she bodily there. This vision was given for her to make a report and reveala certain truth. In other words, she was a reporter. What kind of a report could have been given ifshe had not entered the temple? The command, "only the 144,000 enter here, had no reference toher whether she should stay out or enter. She is one with them, but not one of them.

What Kind Of Seal Is It?

Reference is made in Testimonies to Ministers, page 445. The subject is about the sealing ofRevelation 7, the 144,000. We quote: "This sealing of the servants of God is the same that wasshown to Ezekiel in vision." Now if the sealing of the 144,000 of Revelation 7, is the same as Ezekiel9, in order to find the kind of sealing it is, and the time of its beginning, we must study Ezekiel 9:1-9:"He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city todraw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. And, behold, six men came fromthe way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in hishand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and theywent in, and stood beside the brazen altar. And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from thecherub, whereupon He was, to the threshold of the house. And He called to the man clothed withlinen which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midstof the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sighand that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others He said inmine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:Slay utterly old

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and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is themark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. And He said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And theywent forth, and slew in the city. And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left,that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israelin thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem? Then said He unto me, The iniquity of the house ofIsrael and Judah is exceeding great." It is positive that the sealing of the 144,000 is Ezekiel 9,--theseparation (sifting in the church--the godly from the ungodly). Volume 1, page 181: "I asked themeaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimonycalled forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans." Read the entire page. Note theshaking begins after the straight testimony of the "True Witness" is come.

The Two Seals

Is the Sabbath the seal of the 144,000? First of all it will be noticed that the definition of "seal" is:An instrument which is used to seal, fasten up, or enclose securely; to establish or settle beyondquestion; to point out and determine; designate. An effort will be made to bring forth enough Bibleevidence to satisfy anyone believing in the Scriptures that all who were saved in the ages past as wellas those who are to be saved now must have the seal of God. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians saidthat they were to be sealed. "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto theday of redemption." Eph. 4:30. The grace of sanctification wrought in the soul by the Holy Ghostis the seal and assurance of one's redemption to come, of a joyful resurrection. The use and end ofthis sealing is the sacredness and safety of the thing sealed from the eyes of curiosity and hands ofviolence, which otherwise would be abused by strangers and enemies; thus the children of God arepast the censure

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of the wicked world. They are preserved as precious things for God's own use, to be with Him inheaven. Quoting 2 Tim. 2:19, written to the Corinthians: "Nevertheless the foundation of Godstandeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His." "Who hath also sealed us, andgiven the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." 2 Cor. 1:22.

We read in Revelation 8 and 9, of the seven angels with the seven trumpets. These seven trumpetsindicate the principal political and warlike events which were to transpire during the time of thegospel church. The sealing of the 144,000 belongs to the time of the sixth trumpet. Beginning withRev. 9:1, we read about the angel with the fifth trumpet. Verse 4 of this chapter we quote: "And itwas commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neitherany tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads." Here we see thatmany years before the third angel's message ever began to be preached, the saints of God were sealedwith the seal of God, just the same as the ones under the third angel's message are to be sealed. According to these scriptures which are plainly stated, we must conclude that the saints of God aresealed with present truth in all ages, and whatever that present truth is, that is the seal. Present truthunder the third' angel's message is Sabbath truth, therefore, the Sabbath is a seal which seals thepeople who are obedient to it. Quoting Great Controversy, page 452: "The seal of God's law is foundin the fourth commandment....When the Sabbath was changed by the papal power, the seal was takenfrom the law." Early Writings, page 58: "The sealing time is very short, and will soon be over."

Those who died under the third angel's message, keeping the Sabbath, are sealed with the Sabbathtruth, but the 144,000 never die. While they must keep Sabbath and have that seal, they must sighand cry for the abominations that are in the church, for otherwise they can not receive the mark bythe angel with the writer's inkhorn of Ezekiel 9, which is the seal according to Testimonies toMinisters, page 445; Volume 5, pages 210-16; Volume 3, pages

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266-7. The sealing of the 144,000 is the separation of the faithful from the disloyal ones; thepurification of the church. Those who do not keep the truth, and indulge in the sins andabominations, who try to throw a cloak over the existing evils, will fall under the figure of the fivemen with the slaughter weapons of Ezekiel 9.

The Sabbath has been present truth since 1845, and being the seal of the law of God has beensealing the law among the people of God ever since that year. Isa. 8:16 "Bind up the testimony, sealthe law among my disciples." This has been the work of the third angel, and for this reason the thirdangel has no seal, for the seal is in the law, but the angel of Revelation 7, has a seal in his hand. Ezekiel calls him the man with the writer's inkhorn who is to set a mark upon the men who sigh andcry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof (the church). This is the seal of the144,000, but all the saved under the third angel are sealed with the Sabbath seal. The 144,000 havingthis seal are also marked (sealed) by the angel of Revelation 7, which is the same as the one of Ezekiel9. In other words, it may be termed a double seal.

Ezekiel 9 Is Not A Sabbath Seal

This sealing of the 144,000 is not a Sabbath seal. However, those who are sealed must be Sabbathkeepers. It is a seal, or mark, that separates the two classes in the church, and those who are sealed,or marked are not marked because they keep Sabbath only, but because they sigh and cry for all theabominations that are done in the church. So both the sealing and the slaughter are in God's church,and not in Babylon, or in the world. It is only in Jerusalem, and Judah, the house of Israel (thechurch). "Judah" in Ezek. 9:9 refers to those in office, for Judah occupied the office of the Levitesafter the tribe of Levi was carried away. There is not a thought about the world or the ungodly. When the marking (sealing) is finished, the five men with the slaughter weapons begin with theancient men which were before the house, meaning the guardians of the spiritual

We quote Volume 5, page 211: "The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light, andwho had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They hadtaken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's poweras in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say TheLord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment."Volume 3, page 265: "But if the sins of the people are passed over by those in responsible positions,His frown will be upon them, and the people of God, as a body, will be held responsible for thosesins.'

Those who are sealed (marked) and escape the ruin are the ones who will constitute the numberwhich prophecy declares to be 144,000. Our denomination numbers about 300,000. This means thedenomination will be divided in half and suggests the ten virgins, five of whom were wise and fivewere foolish. In other words, half and half. May God help His people, and give us a vision of whatsin is that we may put away the existing disastrous iniquity in the church (the house of God). Sucha vision would cause us to sigh and cry for the abominations that are done in the midst thereof. Hewho understands the curse of sin would throw no cloak over the existing evil to obtain the favor ofany. May God lift us from the low spiritual level into which we have fallen, and save us from thisLaodicean, lukewarm condition. May we, as wise Ninevah of old, defeat the prophecy, that heavenmay rejoice.

Sealing Begins--Church At Low Ebb

It is evident that if both the sealing and the slaughter are in the house of God, the church (Hispeople), and if more than one-half of the people must perish for their sins except they repent, and ifless than one-half of the present membership would number 144,000, it certainly could not havebegun many years ago; and much less with

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the beginning of the third angel's message, for there was no church then but merely a handful ofpeople. It could not have begun when the church was in a good, spiritual condition. It must havebegun when the church is at her lowest level, and polluted with sin. Those who are to receive the sealand escape the slaughter must sigh and cry for all the abomination that is done in the midst thereof. Volume 8, page 250, says, "Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her ownbacksliding, shall repent and be converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shallabhor herself."

Speaking of the 144,000, Volume 5, pages 210-11, says, "These sighing, crying ones had beenholding forth the words of life; [a message] they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some whohad been dishonoring God, repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lordhad departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presencewere lacking. In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devotedfollowers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul-anguish, which isexpressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak overthe existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a real zealfor God's honor and a love for souls, will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any....They lamentand afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are inthe church....The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn overthe sins of others, will be left without the seal of God....Here we see that the church--the Lord'ssanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom Godhad given great light, and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, hadbetrayed their trust."

Volume 5, page 82: "The call to this great and solemn work was presented to men of learning andposition; had these been little in their own eyes, and trusted fully in the Lord, He would have honored

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them with bearing His standard in triumph to the victory. But they separated from God, yielded tothe influence of the world, and the Lord rejected them."

Volume 5, pages 211-12: "They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and themarked manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times have changed. These wordsstrengthen their unbelief, and they say, The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is toomerciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus peace and safety is the cry from men who will neveragain lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and the house ofJacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance ofan offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together. The abominations for whichthe faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that could be discerned by finite eyes, but by far theworst sins, those which provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God, were unrevealed....Our owncourse of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the living God, or be cut downby the destroying weapons." If we were to mark out the exact time of the beginning of this sealing,we would say it began sometime during 1929. Space will not Permit us here to give our reasons forbelieving thus, but in another study this will be taken up.

To get the proper understanding of the third angel's message we shall divide it into three periods:(1) Beginning of the proclamation of the true Sabbath, Rev. 14:6-11; (2) Reformation, and sealingof the 144,000, Rev. 7:1-8; (3) The Loud Cry, Rev. 18:1. The truth of the sealing (144,000) beingmade known, it is evident that we are in the second period. If we had not known the commencementof the third angel's message in its beginning, we would have had no message. Therefore, we mustknow the time of the last two periods when they came, being of no lesser importance.

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Cause Of Sighing And Crying

Volume 5, pages 210, 211: "In the time when his wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble,devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul-anguish,which is expressed in lamentation and weeping reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw acloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who havea zeal for God's honor and a love for souls, will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. Theirrighteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief andalarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have hadgreat light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception ofalmost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect....Theabominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that could be discerned byfinite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God,were unrevealed."

Volume 1, pages 471, 472: "A great mistake has been made by some who profess present truth, byintroducing merchandise in the course of a series of meetings, and by their traffic diverting mindsfrom the object of the meetings...."It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but yehave made it a den of thieves." These traffickers might have pleaded as an excuse that the articles theyheld for sale were for sacrificial offerings. But their object was to get gain, to obtain means, toaccumulate....Ministers have stood in the desk and preached a most solemn discourse, and then byintroducing merchandise, and acting the part of a salesman, even in the house of God, they havediverted the minds of their hearers from the impressions received, and destroyed the fruit of theirlabor....Their

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time and strength should be held in reserve, that their efforts may be thorough in a series of meetings. Their time and strength should not be drawn upon to sell our books when they can be properlybrought before the public by those who have not the burden of preaching the word."

Volume 8, page 250: "Who can truthfully say, 'Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments areunspotted by the world'? I saw our Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then He said to me: "Can you not see howthey have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character? 'How is the faithfulcity become an harlot?' My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divinepresence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking." Thusthe time and the condition of the church at the beginning of the sealing of the 144,000 is wellportrayed by both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. It is an admitted fact among Seventh-dayAdventists that the church has been on the decline for some years, but never has it been in such a lowspiritual condition as it is now. There is scarcely any difference now between the church and theworld.

Partial List Of Abominations In The Church

1. Lack of reverence in the house of God: Isa. 56:7; Volume 5, pages 492-500.

3. Spending money for that which is not bread (health reform): Isa. 55:2; Volume 5, page 197; Isa.56:12. (Many references can be given from the testimonies on this subject, but space will not permitthem here.)

4. Use of tithe--school teachers (those who teach the Scriptures)

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are not paid by the tithe as they should have been: Volume 6, page 215.

5. The house of God is made into a house of merchandise by buying and selling denominationalpublications of all sorts: Isa. 58:3; Isa. 56:7; Volume 1, pages 471, 472; Volume 8, page 250.

6. High prices in our institutions while they should be below current expenses: Volume 8, page 142;Isa. 56:12; Isa. 58.

7. Disbelief in the Spirit of Prophecy: If not acknowledged by words, it is admitted by works.

9. Abraham obeyed God in all that He commanded, and was very careful even to the smallestparticulars; thus it was counted to him for righteousness, but we have not done so. See Gen. 26:5;Gen. 15:6.

10. The promise of the land (heavenly Canaan) is to Abraham's seed. Jesus said, "If ye wereAbraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. [If ye are not the children of Abraham] Yeare of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do." See John 8:39-44. (By doingthe works of Abraham), "Then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Gal. 3:29

11. Insisting that we have all the truth and have need of nothing.

12. Turning down Scriptural claims without investigation as to its light. Volume 5 page 211: "Theabominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that could be discerned byfinite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God,were unrevealed."

Will This Sealing Continue To The Close Of Probation?

The sealing of the 144,000 can not extend to the close of probation, for they must be sealed longbefore that time, and it must close before the loud cry of the third angels' message. Early Writings,page 277 says: "I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven,

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descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of someimportant event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unitehis voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory wereimparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory....This messageseemed to be an addition to the third message." It seems in the expression, "the angels hurrying toand fro," the author has reference to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9; and then follows the mighty angelof the loud cry of Rev. 18:1.

Ezekiel 9, can not meet its fulfillment at the time Christ comes in the clouds, for the slaughter is inthe church. The church of Christ must be pure and clean, free from every stain long before Jesuscomes. If we are not in this pure condition, we can not hope to stand in the time of trouble, nor canwe escape the effects of the plagues. The church could not stand without an intercessor afterprobation nor before, if there is one unclean thing in the camp of Israel. "For thus saith the Lord Godof Israel, there is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: Thou canst not stand before thineenemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you." Joshua 7:13.

As an illustration and comparison of the faithfulness and unity of the people at the time of troubleduring the plagues, we quote Early Writings, pages 282-3: I saw the saints leaving the cities andvillages, and associating together in companies, and living in the most solitary places. Angelsprovided them food and water, while the wicked were suffering from hunger and thirst. Then I sawthe leading men of the earth consulting together, and Satan and his angels busy around them. I sawa writing, copies of which were scattered in different parts of the land, giving orders that unless thesaints should yield their peculiar faith, give up the Sabbath, and observe the first day of the week, thepeople were at liberty after a certain time, to put them to death....but angels in the form of men of warfought for them. Satan wished to have the privilege of destroying the saints of the

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Most High; but Jesus bade His angels watch over them....Next came the multitude of the angrywicked, and next a mass of evil angels, hurrying on the wicked to slay the saints. But before theycould approach God s people, the wicked must first pass this company of mighty, holy angels. Thiswas impossible. The angels of God were causing them to recede, and also causing the evil angelswho were pressing around them to fall back." It is evident here that God's people are apart bythemselves, with no wicked ones among them. Holy angels would not protect unholy people fromthe wicked multitude. Here we see God's people separated from all wickedness. Therefore thisshows they are in perfect unity at the time they leave the villages.

When then was this purification of the church? Ezekiel 8, tells us of the abominations done in themidst of Jerusalem (church); Ezekiel 9, reveals the consequences to those who do not sigh and cryfor all the abominations. "One sinner may diffuse darkness that will exclude the light of God fromthe entire congregation." Volume 3, page 265.

Five Men Follow The One

The men with the slaughter weapons must immediately follow the one with the writer's inkhorn. God must separate His people if the marking is to be of any value and except the separation takesplace, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit can not fall in its fullness upon the people of God. "I askedthe meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straighttestimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effectupon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause ashaking among God's people....I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, 'It isthe latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel'." EarlyWritings, pages 270, 271. It

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is clear that the shaking must take place before the "Loud Cry." The men with the slaughter weaponswere already slaying before the man with the writer's inkhorn returned to report the matter that hehad done as he was commanded. See Ezekiel 9:8, 11.

Distinction Between 144,000 And Other Saints

Referring to Israel (after the flesh) which is a type of the true Israel; namely, the 144,000, God said,"Israel is My first-born." The priesthood in ancient Israel was supposed to be made up of thefirst-born of every family, therefore the priesthood is termed the first-born. Had Israel obeyed Godin all His precepts, this plan would have been carried out, but when they reached Mt. Sinai they madethe golden calf and worshipped it.

When Moses came down from the mountain, he took a record of all who had worshipped the calf. "Standing in the gate of the camp, Moses called to the people, 'Who is on the Lord's side? Let himcome unto Me.' Those who had not joined in the apostasy were to take their position at the right ofMoses; those who were guilty but repentant, at the left. The command was obeyed. It was foundthat the tribe of Levi had taken no part in the idolatrous worship." Patriarchs and Prophets, page 324. For this reason God honored the tribe of Levi. We read on page 277: "After the institution of thetabernacle service, the Lord chose unto Himself the tribe of Levi for the work of the sanctuary,instead of the first-born of the people."

But God said, "Israel is My first-born",--the true Israel--the 144,000. That promise, then, wouldfind its fulfillment here. Of them we read "being the first fruits unto God and the Lamb." If such isthe case, then the 144,000 would be priests and Levites. Isaiah 61, could have no reference toanother class than Israel by the promise the 144,000, and of the Gentiles who shall come to the Lordby their labors. We read in Isa. 66:19, 20, "And I will set a sign among them, and I will send thosethat escape of them unto the nations....And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto theLord out of all nations." These (144,000) who escape the ruin

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of Ezekiel 9, and Isaiah 63, to which Isa. 66:16, 17, refers, will be sent on a great missionary workduring the time of the loud cry.

We read in Isa. 61:5, 6, "And strangers [Gentiles, or those who are not of the 144,000] shall standand feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But yeshall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: Ye shall eat theriches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves." Others than themselves (144,000)shall feed their flocks and dress their vines (do their farming) in the same manner as it was with thetribe of Levi, for they had no land. Though the Levites had no inheritance of the land, they receivedabout 25% of the increase in tithes and offerings, thus others than themselves did their work. So withthe 144,000, who will be priests in the new earth. The idea here is not that tithe and offerings fromthe people would be their support in the earth made new. These scriptures are merely given toillustrate the position which they occupy.

Isa. 61:7 says: "For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in theirportion: Therefore in their land they shall possess the double: Everlasting joy shall be unto them." Having two pronouns, "ye" and "they," the pronoun "ye" receives double for their shame, but thepronoun "they" shall possess the land. "Ye" is the pronoun of the second person to whom God isspeaking, and in this case refers to Israel (which is the 144,000), but the pronoun "they" refers to theGentiles who were not numbered among the twelve tribes and therefore are not included in the144,000, but are saved for "they" rejoice in their portion.

In Volume 5, pages 475-6, speaking of the 144,000, we read: "They are to be as kings and priestsunto God....'These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth'." Therefore, the 144,000are priests, and Christ the High Priest, (and King). It may be said that when probation closes Christtakes off His priestly garments, and is Priest no longer, but there need be no confusion in this, for weread in Isa. 66:22, 23: "For as the new heavens and the

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new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and yourname remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbathto another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me saith the Lord." Thus we see that there is to bea system of worship in the new heaven and earth which will require Priests and Levites.

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SECTION II.

The Four Classes Of The Redeemed

The ensuing study is given to prove that the great multitude of Rev. 7:9, are living saints, who,with the 144,000, are to be translated at the second coming of Christ. All the saved in the history ofthe world, from righteous Abel to the close of probation, are divided into four great, separate, anddistinct classes, as follows:

Class 1: The 144,000 of Rev. 7; namely, the twelve tribes of Israel of the promise; a specialcompany with a special experience.

Class 2: The translated at the coming of Christ in the clouds (the great multitude of Rev. 7:9).

Class 3: The millions of all ages who were martyred for their faith.

Class 4: "Those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from theburning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion." Great Controversy, page 665.

Earthly nations and governments glory in the splendid order of their armies, and their uniforms aremade according to ranks, so that by the uniform, one can recognize the rank of a soldier, and towhich division or regiment he belongs. We must not suppose the great God has less order for Hisredeemed than earthly nations for their armies. We know God has far better order than any earthlygovernment can ever devise. An endeavor shall be made to prove that each one of the four classesmentioned above have their uniforms by which they can be discerned and classified.

Class 1

In Early Writings, pages 16, 17, we read: "Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfectsquare. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared heavywith stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns. And they wereall clothed with a glorious white

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mantle from their shoulders to their feet." The 144,000 are described as having this "glorious whitemantle" as part of their garments.

Class 2

Class 2, are the translated (besides the 144,000). Rev. 7:9, says, "After this [the 144,000] I beheld,and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds, and people, andtongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb clothed with white robes, and palms in theirhands. It will be noticed this company have palms in their hands.

Class 3

Early Writings, pages 18, 19: "As we were traveling along, we met a company who also weregazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns werebrilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them, I asked Jesus who they were. He saidthey were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable company of little ones;they also had a hem of red on their garments." Thus class 3, (the martyrs) are described as having"red on their garments".

Class 4

Great sinners plucked as brands from the burning, but who died a natural death.

These have neither a mantle over their shoulders, palms in their hands, nor red as a border aroundtheir garments, but they do have crowns of gold. Their crowns differ from the crowns of the144,000, the latter having "stars" in their crowns, as stated under heading "Class 1." Thus we havethe description of these four classes, and the symbols of their garments, and can be summarized asfollows:

Class 1--The 144,000 have the glorious white mantle, and stars in their crowns.

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Class 2--The great multitude of Rev. 7:9, have palms in their hands.

Class 3--The millions of all ages who were martyred, have red around their garments as a border.

Class 4--Great sinners plucked as brands from the burning, but who died a natural death, who havewhite robes, and golden crowns, but no stars on their crowns. Same as those of Rev. 4:4.

There must have been a definite reason for describing the special uniforms which must have beenfor the purpose of disclosing this truth.

Types And Anti-Types

The Spirit of Prophecy says Elijah represents those who will be living when Christ comes, and bechanged in the twinkling of an eye, and be translated. Desire of Ages, page 421: "Elijah, who hadbeen translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those who will be living upon the earthat Christ's second coming, and who will be 'changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at thelast trump."

Reference is made of Enoch in Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 88, 89: "The godly character of thisprophet represents the state of holiness which must be attained by those who shall be 'redeemed fromthe earth' at the time of Christ's second advent....But like Enoch, God's people will seek for purity ofheart, and conformity to His will, until they shall reflect the likeness of Christ. Like Enoch they willwarn the world of the Lord's second coming, and of the judgments to be visited upon transgression,and by their holy conversation and example they will condemn the sins of the ungodly. As Enoch wastranslated to heaven before the destruction of the world by water so the living righteous will betranslated from the earth before its destruction by fire."

Though Elijah represents those who shall be translated at the second coming of Christ Enoch does,too. Both men were translated without seeing death. The question is, Why two types? Becausethere are two companies of people to be translated; the 144,000,

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and the great multitude of Rev. 7:9. The 144,000, are Israelites; the great multitude are not. Enochis not an Israelite, therefore he can not represent Israel, the 144,000. (The name "Israel" did notcome into existence until the time of Jacob, which was many centuries after Enoch was translated. A clearer explanation on the subject will be given in another section.) We shall determine which classEnoch represents by the uniform he wears. Early Writings, page 40, says: "There I saw good oldEnoch, who had been translated. On his right arm he bore a glorious palm, and on each leaf waswritten 'Victory'." Here we see Enoch, too, has the "palm" in his hand, the same as the greatmultitude, class number 2.

Enoch is said to be the seventh from Adam. "Seven" means complete, finished; thus perfectlytypifying the class represented by him in Rev. 7:9 (the great multitude). We shall endeavor to bringanother proof that the great multitude with the "palms in their hands" are translated with the 144,000. In Great Controversy, page 665 we read about classes 2, 3, and 4. The part referring to class 4, readsas follows: "Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but whoplucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion. Nextare those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those whohonored the law of God when the Christian world declared it void." Here is included every possiblesin to a sinner in all ages (who have taken their stand for God).

But of class 2 (the great multitude), there is no reference given as to what kind of sinners they are. Class 1 (the 144,000), are called Israel, a special company with a special experience.

After including every possible sin to a sinner in Class 4 (those who shall be resurrected), and themartyrs in class 3, Inspiration says, "And beyond is the 'great multitude'....with white robes, and palmsin their hands." Therefore, this company could not be classed with the other two, or with the144,000. If Class 2 (the great multitude), were the saved and resurrected from all ages, then all ofthe saved must have palms in their hands, but as it is plain that

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not all have the palms, then these are not all the saved in all ages, but are the translated ones only,besides the 144,000. The palm is a symbol of victory over death and the grave; that is, they neverdied.

Again, speaking of the same company, we read in Rev. 7:14, last part: "And he said unto me, Theseare they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white inthe blood of the Lamb'." Thus this company went through the tribulation of Daniel 12, which is inthe time of the seven last plagues. Rev. 7:16, last part: "neither shall the sun light on them, nor anyheat." They go through the fourth plague, so it is clear that this company lives in the time of the end,at the second advent of Christ,--to be translated.

An Explanation Of Early Writings, Page 15

Speaking of the announcement made of the coming of Christ (the day and the hour), which is beforethe general resurrection, and at the time of the speclal resurrection, we read: "Soon we heard thevoice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus' coming. The living saints,144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and anearthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began tolight up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses' did when he came down from Mount Sinai. The144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem,and a glorious star containing Jesus' new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged,and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forththe hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground."

We are not to understand that all who were present at this time and heard the announcement madeof the "day and the hour" were the 144,000 only. The language used makes it clear that there weremore, for the pronouns "we", "us", "they", and "our" are used. In pointing to the 144,000, thedefinite article "the" is used. She does

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not put herself as one of the 144,000, but, instead, the pronoun "us" is used; therefore, there mustbe another company living besides the 144,000.

Elijah Represents The 144,000

If Enoch represents the great multitude of Rev. 7:9, then Elijah represents the 144,000, for only twoin the world's history have been translated without seeing death. Further proof is not necessary;however, other reasons shall be given why Elijah typified the 144,000. Elijah saw the drought andthe famine in Israel; so will the 144,000, for we read in Great Controversy, page 649: "They haveseen the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the sun having power to scorch men with greatheat." Elijah had a mantle over his shoulders (2 Kings 2:8) likewise the 144,000 have a mantle. "Andthey were all clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet." Early Writings,page 17.

Quoting from Testimonies to Ministers, page 475: "Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says:'Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of theLord'. Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah and when he appears, men may say:'You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how toteach your message.' " Sister White does not mean to say that she is that prophet Elijah, but plainlysays a prophet must come, and it is said to be a prophet with the "same spirit and power of Elijah." This prophet must come before Ezekiel 9 is fulfilled, for the prophecy of Ezekiel is similar to Elijah'sexperience with Israel in the days of Ahab. Elijah's work in the days of Ahab, king of Israel, was toprove to Israel that they had apostatized, and after doing so, he took the priests, or prophets, and cuttheir heads off, and threw them in the brook. Such was the spirit and power of Elijah.

We read in Testimonies to Ministers, page 445: "This sealing of the servants of God [the 144,000:Rev. 7] is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision." Then the sealing of the 144,000 is

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the same as Ezekiel 9, and the marking by the man with the writer's inkhorn is the seal. As soon asthe marking is done, "the five men with the slaughter weapons go after him and slay both old andyoung, both maids and little children, and women. And they began at the ancient men which werebefore the house."

It is at this time the 144,000 are marked, or sealed. Ezekiel 9 fits Elijah's experience for this reason:The prophet, or the message is called, Elijah, "with the spirit and the power of Elijah." The prophetElijah thought all Israel had apostatized, and that he alone was left, but the Lord said He had 7,000men that had not bowed a knee to Baal. "Seven" signifies a complete or perfect number, whichstands as a symbol, in this instance meaning a complete number of thousands. The complete numberof the very elect is 144,000. So we, too, like Elijah, think the whole church is drifted into the world(bowed a knee to Baal). Thus Elijah stands as a type of the 144,000 living, translated saints.

Moses--Type Of Resurrection Of Just

"Moses upon the mount of transfiguration was a witness to Christ's victory over sin and death. Herepresented those who shall come forth from the grave at the resurrection of the just." Desire ofAges, page 421. Moses represents the first, or general resurrection of Rev. 20:6.

Type Of Special Resurrection

If Moses represents the general resurrection, who, then, would represent the mixed, or specialresurrection of Dan. 12:2? We have the one of Matt. 27:52, 53. "And the graves were opened; andmany bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection, andwent into the holy city, and appeared unto many." The saints who had part in this resurrection weregathered from all ages. Some who, perhaps, had lived at the very time Christ was preaching, andwere acquainted with Him and

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His work, were witnesses to His resurrection. Read Early Writings, page 184; Desire of Ages, page786.

There is still another reason why Matt. 27:52, is a type of this mixed resurrection. Those who wereresurrected with Christ witnessed of the deity of Christ to the very ones who crucified Him. Speakingof this mixed resurrection, Daniel says: "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shallawake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." Then there will besome righteous included who lived and witnessed the crucifixion; also those who crucified Him, andpierced Him, for, (Rev. 1:7) "Behold, He cometh with clouds: And every eye shall see Him, and theyalso which pierced Him." Therefore, the resurrection which witnessed of the power of God to thesemurderers of His Son, typified the just who are raised in the mixed (special) resurrection.

The Type Of The Second Resurrection

The wicked who come up in the mixed resurrection of Dan. 12:2, and who must die the seconddeath at the coming of Christ, typify the ones who come up at the end of the millennium, called theresurrection of the wicked. Read Great Controversy, pages 661, 662; Early Writings, pages 52, 53.

Type Of The Second Death

It has been a perplexing question whether the wicked ones who arise in the special resurrection ofDan. 12:2, continue to live, or die with the living wicked at the second coming of Christ, and beresurrected at the end of the 1,000 years. As God leaves nothing undone, He has foretold everythingin prophecy, and types as well. If we have a type for every other event, we must have a type of this. The wicked ones who are resurrected, must die with the rest of the wicked at the coming of Christin the clouds to typify the second death at the end of the millennium.

Now the question is, Will they arise again in the second resurrection with the wicked? In answerto this question, Early Writings,

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page 292 says: "At the first resurrection all come forth in immortal bloom; but at the second themarks of the curse are visible on all. The kings and noblemen of the earth the mean and low, thelearned and unlearned, come forth together. All behold the Son of man; and those very men whodespised and mocked Him, who put the crown of thorns upon His sacred brow, and smote Him withthe reed, behold Him in all His kingly majesty. Those who spit upon Him in the hour of His trial nowturn from His Piercing gaze and from the glory of His countenance. Those who drove the nailsthrough His hands and feet now look upon the marks of His crucifixion. Those who thrust the spearinto His side behold the marks of their cruelty on His body." By this we understand that these verymen are there again in the second resurrection. Therefore they were resurrected the second time atthe end of the 1,000 years, to die in the second death, which they themselves typified, (by dying thesecond death with the living wicked at the second coming of Christ in the clouds). Thus we havea prophecy and a type for every event that has, or will take place in this wicked world of ours.

A Thought Of Perfection:

1. The resurrection of Moses. 2. The resurrection at the time when Jesus arose. 3. The special resurrection of Daniel 12:2. 4. The first resurrection of Rev. 20:6. 5. The translation of Enoch. 6. The translation of Elijah. 7. The general translation at the coming of Christ.

Thus, we again have the number "seven", the sign of perfection, all, or finished. The fourresurrections and three translations comprise all the saints resurrected and translated, all of whichmake a total of seven, or the end.

Procession Of The Redeemed

What a wonderful parade it will be when the redeemed of all

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ages shall march through the golden streets in heavenly places amidst the pure and the blessed.

1. Escorting the great procession we see the millions of angels who ministered to the redeemed inall ages.

2. Moses, the type of the resurrected, and the first man to write in the Bible, we see marchingahead as a leader of the resurrected ones, clothed in white and a glittering golden crown on his head. The resurrected ones whom he represents are Class 4, clad n white robes and having golden crowns.

3. Next we see good, innocent Abel, representing the martyrs with the glorious white robe and redaround his garment as a border, leading millions of martyrs of all ages (Class 3), whose robes are justlike the one worn by their leader, Abel.

4. We now behold good old Enoch, having around his head a dazzling white wreath: Above it alovely crown brighter than the sun and on his right arm a glorious palm. It is by him the greattranslated multitude are both lead and represented, all in pure white robes, palms in their hands, andgolden crowns on their heads.

5. Last of all the redeemed, the brave Elijah, with a glorious white mantle from his shoulders tohis feet: A type and leader of the most wonderful company, though small in number. Being a specialcompany, with a special experience a royal priesthood, the 144,000, in pure white, and a gloriousmantle from their shoulders to their feet, with stars in their crowns. Rev. 14:5, "And in their mouthwas found no guile: For they are without fault before the throne of God."

6. If the sons of God (Adams) from other worlds presented themselves before the Lord accordingto Job 1:6, in a council meeting, then surely the sons of God (Adams) from all the worlds would notbe excluded from the most wonderful, and the only procession in Eternity's endless expanse.

7. Last of all, Jesus and the majestic, heavenly throng with ten thousand times ten thousand, andthousands of thousands of angels. What a wonderful gathering that will be! Can we find anythingmore harmonious than this in all the Bible? It will be noticed

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we again have the complete Biblical number "seven," and it cannot be made more or less, and yetinclude all. Ought this not to wake up our interest and zeal when we see what a glorious event is instore for God's faithful people?

An Explanation Of Writer's Inkhorn Of Early Writings, P. 279

The man with the writer's inkhorn of Ezekiel 9, is the one who performs the sealing of the 144,000long before the close of probation. Some may misunderstand the statement made in Early Writings,and thereby be confused. For the benefit of such a one we make this explanation. Quoting thestatement found in Early Writings, page 279, we read: "I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer's inkhorn by his side returned from the earth, and reported to Jesus that hiswork was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had beenministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised Hishands, and with a loud voice said, 'IT IS DONE'."

It is unmistakably plain that it was an angel with a writer's inkhorn, and that his work was done;also that Jesus' work was finished in the heavenly Sanctuary (probation closed). Because this angelhas a writer's inkhorn by his side same as the man in Ezekiel 9, is no proof that it is the same angel,for it may be supposed that there would be more than one angel with such an instrument. However,it may be the same sealing angel in both instances, but the thought is, when the man of Ezekiel 9, sealsthe 144,000, his work continues on through the harvest time.

The saints must be numbered and sealed in this generation the same as those who have been sealedin the ages past. Evidently his work has been continuing ever since sin entered into the human family,perhaps beginning with Abel, and would continue to the close of probation, at which time his workwould be done.

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SECTION III.

Esau And Jacob

"And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: And the Lord was entreatedof him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her; and she said,If it be so, why am I thus? "And she went to enquire of the Lord. And the Lord said unto her, Twonations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the onepeople shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. When her daysto be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, allover like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, andhis hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob." Gen. 25:21-26.

Inspiration says that Rebekah had no children and Isaac entreated the Lord and the Lord wasentreated of him and the Lord gave her twins. If this be the case certainly it was not an accident. TheLord was in it. But if she only asked for a child, why did He give her twins? We do not suppose theLord gave her twins to cause a lot of trouble in the family as it did. Why did they struggle within themother? Why one red and hairy, and the other white and smooth? And why one take hold of the heelof the other? All these questions come to our minds. Whatever the reason, it was divinely designed,for He gave her the children. Certainly no one would think God did this without a purpose in view. God Himself told the mother it is an object lesson, for He said to her 'Two manner of people shall beseparated from thy bowels and the one people shall be stronger than the other people." It is true thatthe result was two nations on the stage of action; Edom and Israel, but where is the lesson?

Whatever the lesson, it must be to God's people. It cannot be for the Old Testament time, for theynever profited by it in any way.

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We read in Gal. 4:22-25, that Isaac typified the New Testament church, and Ishmael the Old. "Forit is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But hewho was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: For these are the two covenants; the one from the Mount Sinai, whichgendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth toJerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children."

Paul writes here that Ishmael represents Israel after the flesh. Agar represents the church that wasorganized at Mount Sinai at the time when Moses selected the seventy elders. See Patriarchs andProphets, page 382. The Sanhedrin was composed of seventy men, therefore, the number "70"represents a church organization. Thus Paul says, "For this Agar is Mount Sinai [woman--symbolof the church] which is in Arabia." This same organization, after they wandered forty years in thewilderness, crossed the Jordan and established themselves in Jerusalem. "For this Agar is MountSinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children." Agar, then, symbolized the church before the cross; Jerusalem, of old.

Again we read beginning with the 26th verse: "But Jerusalem which is above [New Jerusalem inheaven now. Rev. 21.] is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barrenthat bearest not [Sarah]; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: For the desolate hath manymore children [desolate--for Sarah stepped aside and gave her husband to Agar] than she which hathan husband [Agar]. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he thatwas born after the flesh [Ishmael] persecuted him that was born after the Spirit [Isaac], even so it isnow." Gal. 4:26-29. (For ancient Israel in the days of the apostles persecuted the Christians.) HereInspiration says Sarah represents Jerusalem which is above, in heaven now (Rev. 21), and she is themother of us all. Paul, in writing to the New Testament church

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(Gentiles) says, "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise." Paul means that Isaacrepresents the children of the New Testament, and Sarah is the symbol of the church.

Coming back to our subject, "Esau and Jacob," whatever the lesson of these twins, it cannot applyto the Old Testament church, for if Isaac is the father of them, and represents the New Testamentchurch, then the lesson must apply to the church represented by him. If the father was sixty years ofage at the time Esau and Jacob were born, the lesson can not be for the early part of the church. Thesymbol must be for a later period.

Symbol Of Struggle

The children struggled before they were delivered. In this, too, must be a lesson. It is intended topoint out the time when the application is made. It has been defined by the father's age that the lessonis for a later period. The children's struggle was before they were delivered; the lesson, then, is forGod's people just before they are delivered

The Time And Church

The lesson can not be in two churches. Why? Because they are born from one mother. They mustcome under the same message. Why? Because they are begotten by the same father. If this is thegeneration that will witness the end, and the church that shall be delivered and be translated withouttasting death, then this must be the time to which this lesson applies. Now the question is, In whichchurch shall it find its fulfillment? It can only find its fulfillment in God's true church. If theProtestant churches have fallen and are termed Babylon, then they have neither part nor lot in thislesson. If the Seventh-day Adventist church is the true Israel, and has a message which no otherorganization teaches; and if the message we bear is, the advent of Christ and the end of the world inthis generation, then this is the church.

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Two Classes Of People

The Bible says the twins represent two classes of people. If this is true, then we have two classesof people in the church. One class is represented by Esau, the other by Jacob. Referring toTestimonies to Ministers, page 46, we read: "There are two opposing influences continually exertedon the members of the church. One influence is working for the purification of the church, and theother for the corrupting of the people of God." One of the twins was red and hairy, and the othersmooth and white. Both people are sinful. Why? Because Esau was red, which is scarlet, the signof sin. Jacob was white, but the name betrays the man, for the name "Jacob" means "deceiver."

Symbol Of Birthright

Esau was the one born first. Whatever was to be inherited by the birthright was to be Esau's. Thelaw of the Bible is that the first-born had the right to the priesthood. For this reason, Jacob covetedEsau's birthright. Esau, then, represents a class of priesthood.

Symbol Of Hair

As he was born hairy, his body must have been covered with a heavy coat of hair, for when Jacobwished to deceive his father in order to obtain the blessing, Rebekah his mother, covered his neck andhands with the skins of the kids. Isaac's suspicion of whether it was Esau or Jacob speaking,compelled him to examine the body of his son. Gen. 27:22, 23, "And Jacob went near unto Isaac hisfather; and he left him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. Andhe discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: So he blessed him."The heavy coat of hair over Esau's body was unnatural, and the only reason why God should havemade him thus was to symbolize the character of the class he represents

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The hair was a symbol of power, honor, glory, and talent (God-given gifts), to enable him toexecute the duties of his office as family priest. The following reasons are given for believing thus:God, in the beginning created man and the woman. He made the man to be king and ruler over allHis creation, and He crowned him with honor, glory, and power--talents necessary to execute hisoffice. To the man he gave the beard, and not to the woman. Samson's hair was a symbol of hispower. In I Cor. 11:15, we read: "But if the woman have long hair it is a glory to her."

Symbol Of Esau's Heel

At the birth of the twins, Esau came first, and Jacob took hold of Esau's heel, thus the younger wasled out by the older. This could not have just "happened," for it seems to be a miracle. This is theonly time our attention is called to an occurrence of this kind, therefore, God must have intended itso, and if He did, there must be a lesson in it. It would not be hard for one to see the lesson taughthere by the miracle. Jacob was led out by the heel of Esau, therefore, Esau must represent a class ofleaders.

Symbol Of Being Red

Esau was born red, but Jacob white and smooth. As a rule, twins are born alike, but in this instanceit was reversed. There is no similarity between Esau and Jacob as twin brothers, in character,appearance, color, or covering. Therefore, we have another miracle. This symbol is simple tounderstand. Red is the same as scarlet. The Bible uses scarlet as a symbol of sin, as in Isa. 1:18; Rev.17:3; Rev. 12:3. Esau represents a sinful class of people, as well as Jacob. But the class whom Esaurepresents are given great privileges and opportunities to make good.

Symbol Of Esau's Character

The character of Esau's manhood reveals the character of the

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priesthood whom he represents. Esau was a mighty hunter, a man of the field. All his interest wasin game and his stomach, but very much disinterested in his position as priest of the family. The classrepresented by him is far more interested in pleasure, gain, and the affairs of the world than they arein the God-given privileges. Esau could not control his appetite. He thought more of his stomachthan he did of his position (office of priest). He represents a class of people whose god is theirstomach. They would rather satisfy their lustful appetite than to execute their duty and keep God'struth.

Esau's Blessing

Esau had a valuable blessing within his reach: The immortal inheritance of life. It was his privilegeto bring forth (inherit) the 12 sons (tribes) of Israel. From Esau were to come prophets, kings, andprinces. Through the line of Esau the King of kings, the blessed Christ was to come. All of thesewonderful blessings were to be his.

There are many who are like Esau. He represents a class who have a special blessing within theirreach. What is the blessing? It is an inheritance--the 12 tribes of the true Israel, 144,000, who areto be as priests and kings. Read Volume 5, pages 475, 476. This class have the privilege of bringingabout the second coming of Christ, and to lead the church over the borders of the heavenly Canaan,and into the glories of God. Just as the line of Esau had the privilege to bring about the first adventof Christ, and as Esau failed on his part, just so, this class represented by Esau is in danger of failingon their part. Think of the loss of inheritance immortal, life that is as enduring as the rife of God, theCreator of the universe; happiness immeasurable, and an eternal weight of glory.

But Esau lusted for a favorite dish and sacrificed his birthright to gratify appetite and received butlittle for it,--a bowl of red pottage. He represents this class who have been given great light andprivileges to make good, but fail to do so. This class is to sacrifice an eternal weight of glory whichno human lips can tell. Esau flattered himself that he could dispose of his birthright at will, and

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buy it back at pleasure, but when he sought to buy it back, even at a great sacrifice on his part, he wasnot able to do so. He sought for repentance carefully and with tears, but it was all in vain. Howfearful the thought to sacrifice truth for worldly gain at the expense of life everlasting. Read Volume2, pages 38, 39. The following quotation is taken from Patriarchs and Prophets, page 182: "As Esauawoke to see the folly of his rash exchange when it was too late to recover his loss, so it will be inthe day of God with those who have bartered their heirship to heaven for selfish gratification."

Because of his indifference to the divine blessings and requirements, Esau is called in Scripture, "aprofane person". He represents those who lightly value the redemption purchased for them by Christ,and are ready to sacrifice their heirship to heaven for the perishable things of earth. Multitudes livefor the present with no thought or care for the future. Like Esau, they cry, "Let us eat and drink, fortomorrow we die.''--Patriarchs and Prophets, page 181.

Symbol Of Pottage

Jacob was a plain man dwelling in tents, while Esau hunted in the field. "Jacob sod pottage," madeof lentils, and colored red. We do not know the kind of coloring Jacob used to obtain the temptingshade of that fancy dish; evidently he alone knew the secret.

"And Jacob sod pottage: And Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob,Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: Therefore, was his name called'Edom.' And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said Behold, I am at the point todie: And what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and hesware unto him: And he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage oflentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: Thus, Esau despised his birthright."Gen. 25:29-34.

Esau came from the field that day without any game. As he entered the house, he saw Jacobgarnishing the fancy article of food.

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Immediately Esau exclaimed: "Feed me I pray thee with that same red pottage; for I am faint." Esauwas not faint because of great hunger, but, seeing the new article of food, could not control hisappetite. Jacob's answer was, "Sell me this day thy birthright," if you must have any of this pottage. And Esau said, "Behold, I am on the point to die: And what profit shall this birthright do to me?" Esau was not on the point to die because of hunger or physical ailment, for a sick man cannot eat ashe did. Neither was it because of lack of food, for he was in his father's house, and Isaac was a richman. It was because of his lust for the pottage, for "He did eat and drink and rose up and went hisway." The symbol of the pottage is health reform. "Because of his indifference to the divine blessingsand requirements, Esau is called in Scripture, 'a profane person.' He represents those who lightlyvalue the redemption purchased for them by Christ, and are ready to sacrifice their heirship to heavenfor the perishable things of earth. Multitudes live for the present, with no thought or care for thefuture. Like Esau, they cry, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.' " -- Patriarchs and Prophets,page 181.

"As Esau awoke to see the folly of his rash exchange when it was too late to recover his loss, soit will be in the day of God with those who have bartered their heirship to heaven for selfishgratifications." Id. page 182. We must make our choice while we are given the freedom to selecteither the pottage or the birthright.

Edom--A Type

The transaction was made. "And he sold his birthright unto Jacob." Just then his name waschanged, therefore, was his name called "Edom." Thus, "Esau despised his birthright." The name"Edom" means "red." or scarlet, the symbol of sin. Esau was born red but was not called by thatname (Edom) at first. The class which Esau represents are in danger of losing out because of lustfulappetite (disregard of health reform), thus they are called "Edom."

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This is the class of whom the prophet Isaiah has reference to in Isa. 63:1.

Change Of Names

Both Esau and Jacob represent two sinful classes: Esau, by the color of his skin, and Jacob, by hisname. The names of both were changed: Jacob, because he coveted something worthwhile; Esau,because of lust. Jacob's name meant "deceiver"; the name "Esau" (in Hebrew: Hairy, whichsymbolically would be "honored," as previously explained) means "he that finishes." Note theremarkable meaning of the name, signifying the class given the privilege to finish the work. In Rev. 3:14-16, we read: "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;....I know thy works,that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm,and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Volume 5, page 82: "The call to thisgreat and solemn work was presented to men of learning and position; had these been little in theirown eyes, and trusted fully in the Lord, he would have honored them with bearing his standard intriumph to the victory. But they separated from God yielded to the influence of the world, and theLord rejected them."

Loss And Gain

Jacob, the younger twin, or the one who came last, by holding to Esau's heel, represents a classwhich came into the third angel's message by the leadership of the class represented by Esau. Jacobhad an earnest desire and great zeal for the position which his brother occupied. Though he wasdestitute of the qualifications which Esau possessed for performing the duties of this office, whichhe coveted and bought, yet, by his great zeal and determination, he made good. The price he paidwas food--worth nothing; but that which he received was of great value. Regardless of how muchtraining or talent one has in a certain occupation, he can never be successful unless he has a great zealand interest in that particular line.

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Esau had a great deal to lose, but his loss was Jacob's gain. That which Jacob offered as paymentfor Esau's valuable possession was of little worth, therefore, what Esau gained was little more thannothing. It was not long after Jacob secured the blessing from his father, Isaac, that Esau, filled withremorse, threatened Jacob's life. Both classes represented by Esau and Jacob may be in trouble: One,because of realization of their loss; the other, because of hatred manifested toward them.

Jacob's Dream

Jacob, at the advice of his parents, left home and went to Padan-Aram, and on his way, the veryfirst night, God appeared unto him in a dream, "And behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the topof it reached to heaven: And behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it." Gen. 28:12. The ladder represents Christ; God, the Father stood above it; Jacob at the foot of it. (Gen. 28:13). This dream gave Jacob great courage, and he made a vow to God.

Jacob was now to become the father of Israel (12 tribes) through whom many nations shall beblessed; a type of Israel by the promise, the 12 tribes, the 144,000. The dream which he had in thenight was only a vision and representation of some future event. The meaning of the dream can beonly one thing. If the ladder represents Christ, the angels as messengers, God the Father at the head,and Jacob at the foot, it means a complete connection with heaven and the true Israel,--the latter rain,the loud cry of the third angel's message. See Rev. 18:1.

Mothers Of Israel

But note that Jacob went to Padan-Aram, to the house of Bethuel, his mother's father, there hemarried Leah and Rachel, the daughters of Laban. Zilpah and Bilhah, the maids of Leah and Rachel,also became his wives. These are the mothers whence the twelve tribes came, but they are only themothers in type of the true tribes--the 144,000. Leah was the only legal wife to Jacob; Rachel

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was her sister. Zilpah and Bilhah were bondwomen.

Let Leah represent the true church of Christ (Seventh-day Adventists); Rachel, a sister church, butnot the true (Protestant); Zilpah and Bilhah, the world (religious and irreligious). These are themothers of the 144,000, and the way they (144,000) are gathered. But while the twelve tribes camefrom many mothers, they were begotten by the same father. So with the true--the 144,000. Whilethey are gathered from all churches and the world, they must be brought into one church, at the sameperiod of church history, by the same message (the third angel's message).

Jacob Homeward Bound: Time Of Trouble

At the end of the twenty years Jacob was homeward-bound to the promised land and his father'shouse with great possessions. By the time he arrived at his father's house he had his twelve sons (theheads of the twelve tribes). Before Jacob entered his father's house he went through that terriblestruggle and wrestled with the angel till the breaking of the day. Gen. 32:24-29.

Jacob's wrestling with the angel typifies the time of "Jacob's trouble" (for the church). We read inEarly Writings, pages 36, 37: "A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry andnight for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's trouble." See also Patriarchs and Prophets, pages202-203.

Type Of Promised Land--Israel In Father's House

If the promised land of Canaan is the type of the promised heavenly Canaan, then Jacob's father'shouse is the type of our Father's house. Just so, when Israel (the true) enters our Father's house inthe heavenly Canaan there will be the twelve tribes, the 144,000. The question arises, Are these allthat will be saved in the third angel's message? Remember that when Jacob entered his father's housewith his twelve sons he had many servants, male and female, that outnumbered his tribes (sons) manytimes. Just so with Israel (the true), who will have with them "a great multitude

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which no man could number." Rev. 7:9. (The great multitude came by the effort of the tribes afterthe fulfillment of Ezekiel 9).

This study can not fit another case nor any other church in all the history on the earth. Seventh-dayAdventists are the only people and church that has ever been called Israel, who have the truth ofhealth reform, and that would be in danger of selling their birthright for a bowl of pottage. By thisfact alone, while there are many others, we may know that the Seventh-day Adventist church is God'schurch.

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SECTION IV.

Who Is Israel By The Promise?

"This experience of the Israelites [in departing from Egypt] was written for the instruction of thosewho should live in the last days. Before the overflowing scourge shall come upon the dwellers of theearth, the Lord calls upon all who are Israelites indeed to prepare for that event." Volume 6, page195. The twelve tribes of Israel after the flesh are but a type of Israel by the promise (the 144,000). As there were Gentiles among Israel (the type), there would be Gentiles in Israel the true.

The early part of the Christian church (apostolic time) could not be called Israel, for the history ofthe church then was typified by Isaac, according to Gal. 4:22-31, and as explained on pages 53, 54. Isaac was not called Israel, for he was the father of Jacob, and it was Jacob who was called Israel,therefore, Israel, whatever part of the church it is must come sometime later in the history of thechurch. Jacob was the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, and if Israel after the flesh is a type ofIsrael by promise (the true), then let us study the beginning of Israel after the flesh, if we are to locate,or to know of Israel by the promise,--the 144,000.

The journey of Israel down into Egypt could not have been an accident. Whatever the reason forit, God was in it. Joseph said to his brothers (Gen. 45:5): "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angrywith yourselves, that ye sold me hither: For God did send me before you to preserve life." Josephdeclares that God was the cause for him going into Egypt. God had also told Abraham that he, andhis seed would sojourn and be afflicted in a strange land 430 years. But why did God send them intoEgypt? Why was Joseph sold at the age of 17, merely a lad, into the hands of cruel Ishmaelites, andlead to a strange land to be re-sold as a slave? We certainly would not

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make a mistake by thinking that Joseph became faint-hearted on the way. There surely must havebeen a reason for all this ill treatment.

In Egypt, Joseph was sold to serve as a slave, and later was thrown into the dungeon for a numberof years. Why did God lead Israel into that strange land where idolatry prevailed everywhere? Godcertainly knew that in that land they would become slaves in just a short while. Why would heavenallow God's chosen people to become servants to a nation whose idols were their gods? Why didGod permit the lashes of the Egyptian taskmasters to be applied upon the backs of His people? Whywould divine love permit the children of Abraham (God's friend) while yet in infancy, to be drownedin the river Nile? Who can say our great God was ignorant of all these things which took place, orthat He made a mistake? The only answer that can be offered is, that it was all heavenly designed. But what was it all about? God must have had some special reason and specific purpose for an objectlesson to be taught at a certain time. One may say, God did it all to show His power, but, would theall-wise and great God, full of love and mercy, destroy His children to show His power? Not evenan earthly, mortal, human father would dare destroy his children to show his power. Who would daresay human beings have greater love or better judgment than the great God, whose mercy isimmeasurable, whose love fills the universe, whose wisdom is unsearchable, whose judgment isjustice?

Not only His chosen suffered of bondage and cruelty, but the Egyptians as well. At the time of theExodus movement, at the departure of Israel, the plagues came upon all Egypt, and the nation wasnearly ruined. On the night of the Passover, there was death in every dwelling where there was noblood on the door post, and in every stall of beasts.

"And all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth uponhis throne, even unto the first-born of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the first-born ofbeasts." Ex. 11:5.

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Israel journeyed to the Red Sea, and Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the waterswere divided. Israel went into the sea, and walked across over dry ground. The Egyptians pursuedafter them to the midst of the sea, and Moses stretched his hand over the sea, the waters returned,and covered the chariots, horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh which came into the sea after them;"there remained not so much as one of them."

Israel came into the wilderness where they wandered about for 40 years. Thousands of themperished because of unbelief. At the end of the wilderness journey, the people crossed the Jordan. During the time Israel was away from Canaan, the land was thickly inhabited by heathen nations. Israel was compelled to destroy them by the sword in order to possess the land. Think of the loss oflife, grief, and suffering: All because God took Israel into Egypt, and brought them back again. Godcertainly would not destroy His subjects: "just to show His power."

In 1 Cor. 10:11, 12, speaking of the experience of the children of Israel, we read: "Now all thesethings happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom theends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Ifwe are the people upon whom the end of the world is about to come, then their ensamples are writtenfor our admonition. This is the reason why God lead the children of Israel into Egypt and back again. Think how great the price to work out the picture. The lessons to be derived from these greatexamples are far greater than we have ever realized. Many thousands lost their lives to produce thepicture, with the intention that many more thousands would be saved than those who perished. Letus therefore carefully study into the lessons that were intended for our learning and admonition.

"Pharaoh dreamed: And, behold, he stood by the river. And, behold, there came up out of the riverseven well favored kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other kinecame up after them out of the river, ill favored and leanfleshed;

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and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river, And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine dideat up the seven well favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke....And it came to pass in the morningthat his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise menthereof: And Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them untoPharaoh....Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of thedungeon....And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that caninterpret it: And I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it....AndPharaoh" told the dream to Joseph. "And Joseph said unto Pharaoh....God hath shewed Pharaohwhat He is about to do. The seven good kine are seven years;...And the seven thin and ill favoredkine that came up after them are seven years....Behold, there come seven years of great plentythroughout all the land of Egypt. And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all theplenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt....And the plenty shall not be known in the land byreason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous....And in the seven plenteous years theearth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were inthe land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: The food of the field, which was round aboutevery city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, untilhe left numbering; for it was without number." Gen. 41:1-49.

We shall endeavor to bring enough evidence in this study to show that Israel's experience in Egyptis a photograph of Israel the true (the 144,000) in the Seventh-day Adventist church. "While theexodus movement was a great movement, the second advent movement will be still greater. God willtake out a people, not from one nation only, but from every nation under heaven, and He will leadthem into the heavenly Canaan. This advent movement, of which the exodus movement was a type,we believe was foretold in prophecy in the following stirring language: 'It shall come to pass in thatday,

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that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, whichshall be left.' There shall be a highway for the remnant of His people;...like as it was to Israel in theday that he came up out of the land of Egypt." Review and Herald, Oct. 10, 1929, pages 4, 5. "TheExodus Movement is in a way a type [photograph] of the closing work of God under the AdventMovement." "Each movement rises in fulfillment of time prophecy." Certainties of the AdventMovement, by W.A. Spicer. The fact that Israel after the flesh is a type (photograph), theirexperience must be duplicated by the true, otherwise there can be no type.

Years Of Plenty, And Famine

God permitted the plenty, as well as the famine. Each one bears the number "seven," meaning"perfect," or "complete." These two sections of time can only mean one thing which is none otherthan this world in history, in two great divisions; namely B.C. and A.D., with the cross as the dividingline. The seven years of plenty represent the Old Testament period in which time God gave plenty,for by His holy prophets He stored it in the great storehouse, what we today call the Bible. In Matt.11:13, we read: "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John." It is for this reason thatJesus made the above statement, for we have no other thus far.

In the seven years of plenty (B.C.) God stored His word in the Bible to feed the world (Egypt) inthe next seven years of famine (A.D.). "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake intimes past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whomhe hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." Heb. 1:1, 2. The NewTestament is the fulfillment of the old.

Joseph Type of Christ

Joseph typified Christ. See Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 239, 240. Our God in the OldTestament time (seven years of plenty) spoke to His people in divers manners by His prophets, and

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commanded these things to be written, with the intention to speak to His people in these last days(New Testament time, or seven years of famine) to each one of us individually by the voice of HisWord as found (stored) in the Bible.

"Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: Only inthe throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over allthe land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, andarrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; and he made him to ridein the second chariot which he had, and they cried before him, bow the knee: and he made him rulerover all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall noman lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." Gen. 41:40-44. No greater favor or honor couldPharaoh have shown to Joseph; and all the Egyptians bowed down to him. As we proceed in thisstudy we shall prove beyond a doubt that Joseph is a perfect type of Christ.

Pharoah, Type Of--

If Joseph typified Christ, and Pharaoh honored Joseph above any man ever honored by any king,and Joseph--and Pharaoh work hand in hand, then Pharaoh must stand for some figure, or type. Itwould not be hard to determine what Pharaoh represents. That which honored Christ aboveeverything that can be honored upon earth, is what Pharaoh represents.

The church of the apostles honored Christ above everything that can be honored, so much so, thatall sacrificed their lives. No greater homage has Christ received upon earth by any other part in thehistory of His church. By this we understand that Pharaoh represents the apostles' church, ororganization. The application made here will prove correct as we advance in this study. (Furtherexplanation upon this subject is given on the last page of this section.)

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The Beginning Of Famine

The dividing line between the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine is the cross. "For allthe prophets and the law prophesied until John." Matt. 11:13. Where the seven years of plenty end,the seven years of famine begin. The first year of famine is the beginning of the church of Christ atthe time of the apostles. One may ask, Why a famine in the beginning of the Christian church? Didthey not get sufficient corn (truth)? Yes, but they got it from the great storehouse (the Bible) in thesame way as the Egyptians received their corn in the years of famine,--from the immense storehouseat the hand of Joseph. See pages 15-18.

Egyptians, Type Of Gentiles

The seven years of famine began when the Egyptians came to Pharaoh for bread and Pharaoh toldall the Egyptians, "Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do...and Joseph opened all the storehouses,and sold unto the Egyptians" Gen. 41:55, 56. "And Joseph gathered up all the money that was foundin the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: And Joseph broughtthe money into Pharaoh's house. And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land ofCanaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thypresence? For the money faileth....And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: And Joseph gave thembread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: andhe fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year. When that year was ended, they came untohim the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money isspent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but ourbodies, and our lands: Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? Buy us andour land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh:...And Joseph bought all theland of Egypt

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for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field....And they said, Thou hast saved our lives:Let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants." Gen. 47:14-25.

In the beginning of the famine, the Egyptians went to Pharaoh for corn, instead of to Joseph. Theywere well acquainted with Joseph, for he had been a governor of Egypt for eight years or more. Joseph rode over all the land of Egypt, and every Egyptian bowed down to him. During the yearsof plenty, it was Joseph who bought the corn from the Egyptians, and it seems strange that theyshould go to Pharaoh. It must have been by divine providence that they came to him.

It has been explained that Pharaoh represented the church organization or leadership. TheEgyptians can not represent anything else but the Gentiles in the days of the apostles. The Gentilescame to the church (Pharaoh) where they were told to go to Joseph (Christ). "What he saith to you,do." That is, the church in her purity without one strange thing in their midst, directed the Gentilesto Christ as their life giver, as Pharaoh directed the Egyptians to Joseph.

Egyptians Sold Themselves To Pharoah

"And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for the Egyptians sold every man his field,because the famine prevailed over them: So the land became Pharaoh's." Gen. 47:20. In the precedingverses of the chapter we read the Egyptians spent all their money for corn; and when the money wasgone, they gave the cattle in exchange; and when the cattle were gone, they gave the land; and whenthe land was gone, they sold themselves and became servants to Pharaoh. This is the type, but of thefulfillment of this type, we read in the following texts: "And the multitude of them that believed wereof one heart and of one soul: Neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessedwas his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of theresurrection of the Lord Jesus: And great grace was

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upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors oflands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them downat the apostles' feet:...And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas,...a Levite,...Havingland, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet." Acts 4:32-37. Thus Jew andGentile sold all houses and lands and brought the prices and laid them at the apostles' feet, andbecame servants to the church (Pharaoh).

Again we read Acts 5:1-10, "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold apossession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part,and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to theHoly Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?...And Ananias hearing these words felldown, and gave up the ghost." Thus any who pretended to sell, and held back part of the pricereceived, in the days of the apostles, died just as those who would not sell all to Pharaoh in Egypt. Jesus said "Sell all and follow Me." Therefore type met anti-type.

Joseph Removes People Throughout Egypt

"And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh;...And as for the people, he removed themto cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof." Gen. 47, part of verses20, 21. This is the type, following is the fulfillment of the type: Acts 8:1, "And Saul was consentingunto his [Stephen's] death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church whichwas at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria,except the apostles."

It will be noticed that the apostles were at home (Jerusalem), and there is no record where theapostles sold their land. Now we quote the type of the latter: Gen. 47:22, "Only the land of thepriests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portionwhich Pharaoh gave them: Wherefore

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they sold not their lands." It is remarkable to note how this coincides to the smallest details.

70 Souls, Type Of Organization

Israel arrived in Egypt in the second year of famine. Gen. 45:10, 11, "And thou shalt dwell in theland of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children,and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: And there will I nourish thee; for yet there arefive years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty." Thearrival of Israel in Egypt stands for some symbol in which there must be a lesson. Note that thislesson can not be fore the early part of the Christian church, for Israel came in the second year offamine. The lesson, then, intended here, is for a later period in the history of the church. If we areto know the truth of the incident, and the lesson intended to be derived from it, reference must herebe made to the number of souls which entered into Egypt. "And the sons of Joseph, which were bornhim in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, werethreescore and ten." Gen. 46:27.

The Bible says all the souls who came into Egypt were seventy in number. If we can in some way,find the meaning of the number, then we shall understand the lesson. When Moses, with the childrenof Israel, came to Sinai, he organized the church there, and in organizing, selected seventy elders. This same organization, years later, crossed the Jordan and went into the promised land. There theyhad the Sanhedrin which was composed of seventy men. Thus, the number "seventy" is a symbol ofchurch organization. The meaning, then, is that there will be a church organization, sometime in thehistory of A.D. If this is true, then that church which Christ, with the apostles organized mustdisband, and of necessity be re-organized. This is true, for the Christian church was disorganized inthe dark ages during the time of the beginning of papal rule. When again organized, it would partiallyfulfill Joel 2:32, "And in the

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remnant whom the Lord shall call." The 2300 days, or years, of Daniel's prophecy in the eighthchapter gives us the entire truth of church history to 1844, until which time there was no call forre-organization. It there had been, or if this call for re-organization had met its fulfillment before1844, then Daniel's prophecy would have made mention of it. As the prophecy is silent, and therehas no prophet of God risen since the church fell into papal power about A.D. 538 to 1844, then thetruth of the symbol was yet in the future.

As the prophetic period ended in 1844, the "Most Holy" place in the heavenly Sanctuary wasopened, into which Christ entered. If this incident marked the beginning of the atonement, therewould have been no better, or more opportune time for a call from heaven than at the end of the greatprophetic period; the day of atonement being the most solemn time for the church. Seventh-dayAdventists were called out by a prophet, and are practically the only people who believe in the 2300days. We are the only people who have proclaimed it since 1844, and are now in the atonement, orthe time of the judgment. The text for this is here quoted: "And I saw another angel fly in the midstof heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to everynation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory tohim; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea,and the fountains of waters." Rev. 14:6, 7. Seventh-day Adventists only can fulfill the type, for justat this time they were called by a prophet of God, to organize as a denomination, and to proclaim theglad news: "This gospel in all the world in this generation." Thus the symbol "seventy" met itsfulfillment at that time.

Still another thought on the experience of Israel:--When Joseph's brethren came into Egypt, theywent directly to him for corn. "And Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before himwith their faces to the earth." Gen. 42:6. The sons of Jacob were strangers in the land and knew nottheir brother who was a governor. They providentially came not to Pharaoh, as the Egyptians

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did, for corn, but directly to the right person,--Joseph. In contrast to this, the Egyptians who shouldhave known better, being acquainted with the rule of their country, went to Pharaoh for corn, buttheir king told them to "go to Joseph. What he saith to you, do." The Egyptians must have knownJoseph, being their governor for more than eight years by that time. In the seven years of plenty, itwas Joseph to whom they sold the food which he preserved for the time of famine. Joseph rode inPharaoh's chariot over all the land of Egypt, and all the Egyptians bowed down to him, thus it wouldhave been impossible for them to be ignorant of him. This being a symbol, it can only find itsfulfillment in the following narrative:

The Egyptians (Gentiles) went to Pharaoh (leadership of the apostolic church) for corn. Theapostles directed the Gentiles (converts) to Christ as Pharaoh directed the Egyptians to Joseph,saying, "Go to Joseph. What he saith to you, do." If this is the meaning we get from the Egyptians'going to Pharaoh, then the significance of the sons of Jacob going directly to Joseph means that whenthat church is re-organized, the people would have to go directly to Christ (Joseph). The lessonintended is, that in the beginning of the church in 1845, which had no true leadership (Pharaoh) togo to, they of necessity went directly to Christ (as the sons of Jacob came to Joseph).

Jacob Type Of James

The Seventh-day Adventist Church which came into existence in 1845 became Israel (the movementfrom which the true Israel, the 144,000 are made). It will be noticed that the names of the fathersafter the flesh, and by the promise coincide. The father's name of Israel after the flesh was "Jacob". So is the name of the father of Israel by the promise (Seventh-day Adventist movement). But onemay say, It was Jacob in the former, and James White in the latter. True it is, but the names "Jacob"and "James" are the same. Again, the very first vision Sister White had was about the 144,000, andthe aim of this denomination has been to make that number.

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The Land Of Goshen

The beginning of this denomination was typified by Israel's entrance into Egypt as previouslyexplained. We shall now consider the truth of the land of Goshen. Joseph brought Israel into Egyptand gave them the part of the land to dwell in which was the best land in the country of Egypt, andthere Joseph nourished them, their flocks, herds and cattle, and all they had. See Gen. 45:10.

The land of Goshen stand as a symbol of the United States of America in which the church cameinto existence. While our country is productive like the land of Goshen, the richest in the world, anda Protestant nation, it is the best for missionary work, for it is made up of all nations, and thereforelike the land of Goshen, the most productive in Egypt (the world).

Joseph Nourished Israel

In the beginning of the seven years of famine the Egyptians sold all and became servants toPharaoh, which has reference to the apostles' church and of the Gentiles then, who sold their houses,and lands, and had all things in common, as previously explained. But Israel did not sell any of theirpossessions, nor did they pay for the food with which Joseph nourished them. Israel, then, representsthe church now. In the beginning of the church in 1845, Christ (Joseph) opened the storehouse andgave us all the truth (corn) we could possibly assimilate. Is it not a fact that no other people at anytime in the history of the church have received as much truth as God has given us in our time? Lineupon line, precept upon precept, instruction upon instruction, have been given us, so that we, as apeople, may know and understand the ways of the Lord, obey His voice, keep His charge,commandments, statutes, and laws; thus becoming the "children of Abraham, and heirs according tothe promise." When this is realized in the hearts of men then they will fulfill the charge given to Peter. Peter said, "Thou knowest I love Thee." Jesus saith unto him, "Feed My sheep."

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Shepherds

"And Pharaoh said unto his brethren [Joseph's], What is your occupation? And they said untoPharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers. Gen. 47:3. Israel wereshepherds which is a symbol of missionaries such as feed the lambs of God. In the early part of thechurch, the by-word was, "Every Seventh-day Adventist a missionary, and every missionary apreacher." It ought to be so now. "The great struggle has not been between religion and no religion;it is between God's religion and man's religion."--Review and Heralds, Jan. 23, 1930.

Another Pharaoh Arose

"Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph." Ex.1:8. If the first Pharaoh,who exalted Joseph (Christ), represented the leadership in the days of the apostles, then this newPharaoh must represent the leadership of this present movement at the time this subject becameknown. Note, this new Pharaoh knew not Joseph (Christ). The meaning is that the leadership of thisorganization has left following their Master,--"Christ". Volume 5, page 217: "Grievous andpresumptuous sins have dwelt among us. And yet the general opinion is that the church isflourishing, and that peace and spiritual prosperity are in all her borders. The church have turnedback from following Christ her Leader, and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmedor astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt and even disbelief of the testimonies of theSpirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. The testimonies areunread and unappreciated." Further explanation of the Pharaohs being types, is given on the last pageof this section.

Taskmasters

"Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not

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Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more andmightier than we:...Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them,the more they multiplied and grew....And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve withrigor:...And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all mannerof service in the field." Ex. 1:8-13.

"The children of Israel," said Pharaoh, "are too strong and mightier than we. Let us deal wisely andreduce their strength." So they (Israelites) were drafted from the sheepfolds to the brick yards, andthe field, but this did not reduce their strength. Said Pharaoh, "Let us set taskmasters over them towear them out." Note the application. Pharaoh is the king, the one who rules. The taskmasters inthis case could be none other than a class of ministers referred to in Volume 5, page 217: "Doubt andeven disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere. Satanwould have it thus. Ministers who preach self instead of Christ would have it thus. The testimoniesare unread and unappreciated."

No longer is the by-word of Seventh-day Adventists, "every Seventh-day Adventist a missionary;every missionary a preacher," as what it used to be. But, how much per capita? or, have you madeyour budget? instead of, Have you brought any souls to Christ? Are your church members nearerto Him? It is not meant here that Christians ought not to give for the support of the cause. We oughtto give, and give more liberally than we have given in the past, but our gifts ought to come from awilling heart, and not from the result of lashes. The people should be fed with spiritual food so thatthey would feel the need of giving without overbearing on the subject.

When Moses was about to build the sanctuary in the wilderness, God commanded him, saying:"Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering: Of every man that giveth it willinglywith his heart ye shall take My offering." Moses was commanded

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to take offerings only from those who willingly gave from their heart. We are told by the Spirit ofProphecy that ministers should not put all their efforts and time with the church. Members are notto expect a sermon every Sabbath. Ministers should rather engage themselves in working foroutsiders. Read Volume 9, page 140. Have we taken heed to this instruction? For example, we havescores of ministers in Los Angeles and immediate vicinity, but how many public efforts have we? Itwas announced just a short time ago that there were only two. Thus it has been for some years. What are these ministers doing day after day, and week after week? It seems they are doing nothingbut preparing a sermon during six days of the week to preach on Sabbath, and then it is eithersomething to sell, or some particular budget to raise.

How many sermons preached do we read of in Not one. We have polluted the house of God withmerchandise even on Sabbath morning, which hour is dedicated as a day of rest to worship God. Volume 1, pages 471, 472: "A great mistake has been made by some who profess present truth, byintroducing merchandise in the course of a series of meetings, and by their traffic diverting mindsfrom the object of the meetings. If Christ were now upon earth, He would drive out these peddlersand traffickers, whether they be ministers or people, with a scourge of small cords, as when Heentered the temple anciently....Ministers have stood in the desk and preached a most solemndiscourse, and then by introducing merchandise, and acting the part of a salesman, even in the houseof God, they have diverted the minds of their hearers from the impressions received, and destroyedthe fruit of their labor....Their time and strength should be held in reserve, that their efforts may bethorough in a series of meetings. Their time and strength should not be drawn upon to sell our bookswhen they can be properly brought before the public by those who have not the burden of preachingthe word [colporteurs].

" 'It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but

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ye have made it a den of thieves.' These traffickers might have pleaded as an excuse that the articlesthey held for sale were for sacrificial offerings. But their object was to get gain, to obtain means, toaccumulate." Volume 1, page 472.

Our conference is not ignorant of the instruction here given, and the evil which is practised in thechurches. At the Autumn Council held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1923, the question of book saleson the Sabbath day was brought forth in connection with other matters, and the following resolutionwas passed and published: "That all campaigns for the promotion of periodicals or book sales on theSabbath day be eliminated, and that those responsible for the promotion of these campaigns bedirected to the method of house to house solicitation by visiting committees in connection withcampaigns for literature sales:

"That we invite our publishing houses to exercise caution circularizing our people on behalf ofpublishing house projects, and to refrain from sending to church officers matters to be presented onthe Sabbath, with previous arrangements with the Local, Union, and Generalconferences."--Milwaukee Autumn Council, Oct. 9-17, 1923. Review and Herald of Nov. 22, 1923. Read Volume 9, page 260.

We read in Testimonies to Ministers, page 477: "A strange thing has come into our churches. Menwho are placed in positions of responsibility that they may be wise helpers to their fellow workers,have come to suppose that they were set as kings and rulers in the churches, to say to one brother,Do this; to another, Do that; and to another, Be sure to labor in such and such a way." Thus Pharaohhas drafted the people from the sheepfold to the brickyards, or the field. The taskmasters, beingcommanded to oversee the work, urge the bricks (budgets), and wear out the people. The existingsins in the church are passed over and no one cares. Those who do reprove wrongs incur theirdispleasure. In Volume 3, page 266, speaking of the condition in the church at the time of the sealing(marking) of the 144,000, and the slaughter in the church, we read:

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"Those who have excused these wrongs have been thought by the people to be very amiable andlovely in disposition, simply because they shunned to discharge a plain Scriptural duty. The task wasnot agreeable to their feelings, therefore, they avoided it."

Furnish Straw No More

"And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore. Let them go and gather strawfor themselves. And the taskmasters of the people went out and their officers, and they spake to thepeople, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. Go ye, get you straw where ye can findit: Yet not ought of your work shall be diminished." Ex. 5:6, 7, 10, 11.

Pharaoh will not furnish straw: That is, he will not render any help, but the people must producethe same amount of bricks. In the beginning of this organization (Seventh-day Adventists), thedenominational institutions, sanitariums, and hospitals were built for the purpose of caring for ourown people (members of the church). After the cause of the patient had been diagnosed, the causebeing made known, with instruction, some aid or treatments were to be given. This help was to berendered whether they were able to pay much, little, or nothing. Such is the work of the goodSamaritan.

"In former numbers of Testimonies for the Church I have spoken of the importance of theSeventh-day Adventists establishing an institution for the benefit of the sick, especially for thesuffering and sick among us. I have spoken of the ability of our own people, in point of means, todo this; and have urged that, in view of the importance of this branch of the great work of preparationto meet the Lord....

"When I saw those who managed and directed, running into the dangers shown me, of which I hadwarned them in public, and also in private conversation and letters, a terrible burden came upon me. That which had been shown me as a place where the suffering sick among us could be helped, wasone where sacrifice, hospitality, faith,

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and piety should be the ruling principles. But when unqualified calls were made for large sums ofmoney, with the statement that stock taken would pay large percent; when the brethren who occupiedpositions in the institution seemed more than willing to take large wages than those were satisfiedwith who filled other and equally important stations in the great cause of truth and reform; when Ilearned, with pain, that, in order to make the institution popular with those not of our faith, and tosecure their patronage, a spirit of compromise was rapidly gaining ground at the Institute, manifestedin the use of Mr., Miss, and Mrs., instead of Bro. and Sister, and in popular amusements, in whichall could engage in a sort of comparatively innocent frolic;--when I saw these things, I said, This isnot that which was shown me as a institution for the sick, which would share the signal blessing ofGod. This is another thing. And yet calculations for more extensive buildings were made, and callsfor large sums of money were urged. As it was then managed, I could but regard the Institute, onthe whole, as a curse....

"Several who came to Battle Creek humble, devoted, confiding Christians, went away almostinfidels. The general influence of these things was creating prejudice against the health reform in verymany of the most humble, the most devoted, and the best of our brethren, and was destroying faithin my Testimonies and in the present truth...

"The brethren who have stood at the head of this work have appealed to our people for means onthe ground that the health reform is a part of the great work connected with the third angel's message. In this they have been right. It is a branch of the great, charitable, liberal, sacrificing, benevolent workof God. Then why should these brethren say, 'Stock in the Health Institute will pay a large per cent,''it is a good investment,' 'a paying thing'? Why not as well talk of stock in the Publishing Associationpaying a large per cent? If these are two branches of the same great closing work of preparation forthe coming of the Son of man, why not? Or why not make them both matters of liberality? The penand the voice

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that appealed to the friends of the cause in behalf of the publishing fund, held out no suchinducements." Volume 1, pages 633-636.

How do our institutions now measure with this straight testimony? Can we say they are charitable,liberal, sacrificing, benevolent institutions? Listen to the enormous profits they make. Presentmentis here made of the annual report of St. Helena Sanitarium, as it appeared in the Pacific UnionRecorder of April 25, 1929. "The notes payable at the end of 1925, were $60,044 (the cents are nothere given). In 1926, they had been reduced to $49,031; in 1927, to $36,321; and at the close of1928, they were down to $26,415. In three years they were reduced from $60,000 to $33,629. Resources, fixed and current, at the close of 1928, $371,105. The liabilities $45,809. There is adecrease in the liabilities of nearly $5,000. Cash on hand at the close of 1928, $10,749. Presentworth, $325,296....The gross income, $456,258. The net income, $437,284. The average dailyattendance of patients was 85 plus, and the income from patients direct, $261,363. The net gain$10,439.39."

How could it be possible for an institution to do any charitable work at all, and yet earn $111,988above its present worth in one single year? Note: Present worth, $325,296. Net income, $437,284in 1928. But this is not the worst. Our brethren have gone so blind that they think these enormousprofits give them a wonderful credit for their wise management, and boast over it, and say that thesanitarium is facing sunshine. Truly our God knew what He was saying when He said the Laodiceansare blind, wretched, and miserable, and poor, and naked, though they think they are rich and increasedwith goods, and have need of nothing. See the contrast of boasting between the Laodiceans, andother institutions of whom some often think the devil is their leader. Following is the annual reportof a mission in Los Angeles for the corresponding year 1928: These items being given free of chargeto the needy. "The annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1928, shows 527,481 meals served;137,287 lodgings furnished; laundry service, 53,334 pieces; barber service,

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20,394; baths, 12,339; garments distributed, 32,541; 1791 shoes repaired; employment secured for9,204 individuals; medical aid given to 3,117; while the chapel report shows that during the year15,340 persons professed salvation in the daily meetings which are continuous from 11 A.M. to 11P.M., and are conducted by groups from the churches of all denominations." (Copied from a LosAngeles newspaper.)

Is the devil become more charitable than Christ? Why have we gone to sleep? Is it dollars andcents that the Lord wants? Are these things not destroying the confidence of the public in the peopleof God? Are these things adding or detracting from the fruit of our labor? Are we representing Godand carrying the third angel's message to a dying world? Is Christ our pattern and example? Whyhave we allowed the devil to deceive us? Is not this a call to arouse the people of God to a Christlikeservice? How long shall we stay asleep? It is bad enough for God's people to turn down one whois not in the faith from receiving the benefits of God at the hand of His people, but it is a thousandtimes worse to turn down one of Israel, he who would sacrifice and cast his lot with the people ofGod, faithful in tithe-paying and offerings as the Lord has prospered. If God should permit povertyto overtake such a one with sickness or old age, what do we do with them? Do we send them awayand tell them, God bless thee? Is the country hospital for God's people, and God's hospitals formoney-making? Is the county farm for God's people, there with the ungodly, and with the uncleanon their table as we believe from a religious standpoint, amidst profanity, swine, and tobacco? Is thisthe kind of place for the child of God, and the temple of the Holy Ghost according to our faith? Whatkind of answer will we give Him when He comes? Will we hear the words, "Well done, good andfaithful servant," as we read in Matt. 25:35, 36? "For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: Iwas thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me:I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Shall this saying be ours, or willwe

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find ourselves at the left hand with the terrible curse as in Matt. 25:41-43, 46: "Depart from me, yecursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gaveme no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked,and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. And these shall go away intoeverlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal."

Quoting Volume 1, page 639: "As early as 1850 this brother became a Sabbath-keeper, and fromthat date he contributed liberally to the several enterprises that have been undertaken to advance thecause, till he became reduced in property. Yet when the urgent, unqualified call came for theInstitute, he took stock to the amount of one hundred dollars. At the meeting at ------- he introducedthe case of his wife, who is very feeble, and who can be helped, but must be helped soon, if ever. Healso stated his circumstances, and said that if he could command the one hundred dollars then in theInstitute, he could send his wife there to be treated; but as it was, he could not. We replied that heshould never have invested a dollar in the Institute, that there was a wrong in the matter which wecould not help; and there the matter dropped. I do not hesitate to say that this sister should betreated, a few weeks at least, at the Institute free of charge. Her husband is able to do but little morethan to pay her fare to and from Battle Creek." Do we have such cases as these at the present time? Do we deal with these people like some farmer deals with his horse? He takes good care of the horsewhile it is young and doing his work, but when the animal gets old and feeble, he then drives it outin the open field in the winter weather, just at the time the poor horse needs the best of care. Are wenot like this hard-hearted farmer who starves his horse in the winter weather, with the frost on theback of the worn-out animal, to save a few bundles of straw? Cruel, is it not? It is left to the readerto answer the question.

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Midwives

"But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grievedbecause of the children of Israel....And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives,...And hesaid, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women,...if it be a son, then ye shall kill him:but if it be a daughter, then she shall live." Ex. 1:12, 15, 16. The "midwives" symbolize the churchschool teachers, who nurse the children in the system of education. You may ask, Is it possible thatthe devil would attempt to deceive the teachers, and poison the children's minds? The devil is notleaving one string loose. Reference is here made to the Home and School Journal of ChristianEducation, of Dec., 1929, published by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,Washington, D.C., and every teacher in the denomination is supposed to be a subscriber of thismagazine. The above-mentioned issue is full of Christmas stories, Christmas-keeping, and Christmasprograms and gifts, which the teachers are supposed to pass on to the children. As it would be toolengthy to quote it all, only the very last sentence, and the closing words under the paragraph "WhatChristmas May Always Mean" is quoted here: "And, in general, a baptism of reality, simplicity, andsincerity in the observance of the world's supreme birthday." Think of these words, dear reader. ASeventh-day Adventist paper, published by the General Conference, to exalt the world's supremeidolatrous day to a birthday of Christ, and hand it to the teachers of the denomination.

"But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved themen children alive." Ex. 1:17. Here we have one good symbol, and let us say, Amen for the teachers"They feared God." We urge you to send your children to the school of the denomination, for it isthe best place for them. "The name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah." Ex.1:15. The meaning of these names are: "Beauty" and "splendor." Indeed it is. It would have beenimpossible for two midwives to

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wait on the great multitude of women, but the fact is, that there were only two. The reason for thisis to make the symbol perfect, meaning both classes of teachers, male and female, "beauty" and"splendor."

Male Children In The Nile

"Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: And the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and everydaughter ye shall save alive." Ex. 1:20, 22. The chief object of Pharaoh's scheme was not to reducethe people in number. Had this been his aim, he should have killed the female, for in those days theypracticed polygamy. Had he given an order to cast the female children in the river, and save themales, he could have accomplished his purpose, and also added to his slaves for it was the men whoproduced the bricks. We read in Patriarchs and Prophets, page 242: "Satan was the mover in thismatter. He knew that a deliverer was to be raised up among the Israelites; and by leading the kingto destroy their children he hoped to defeat the divine purpose." This was the object of the wholeaffair. As this is a symbol, the application will now be made.

Testimonies to Ministers, page 475, under the chapter entitled "Let Heaven Guide", we read:"Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says: 'Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before thecoming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.' Somebody is to come in the spirit and power ofElijah, and when he appears, men may say: "You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scripturesin the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message." No plainer statement could havebeen made than this, that we must look for a prophet, or a message in the near future. If this is aninspired statement, then it seems it would be the duty of the watchmen on the walls of Zion toeducate and instruct the people that there is a prophet, or a message to look for. But what have we? On the contrary, the general opinion of the entire denomination is, "no

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prophet cometh, neither is there any message to be expected. We have all the truth, and we neednone," is the cry from the camp of Israel. Thus we see how the old enemy has duplicated hisunderhand deception with the church at the present time. Just as Pharaoh was unconscious of themain purpose of his command, just so by the unconsciousness of the leaders, the shrewd deceiver hasattempted to drown the prophet, or the message of reform for the present time. Thus it proves inevery instance that the experience of Israel in Egypt is a photograph of Israel, the true. If a prophet,or even a message should come, the church is not ready to accept either. The result may be the sameas it was with the Jewish nation and the coming of Christ. How terrible the thought. "While itseemed to the Egyptians in the interests of the empire to hold these people in bondage, the realpurpose behind it all was the determination of Satan, the dragon power (Isa. 51:9), to hold the peopleof Israel in the bondage of sin, and to prevent the work of reform to which God had set His hand asthe time of the prophecy came." Review and Herald, January 23, 1930.

Male Children Of Denomination; How Drowned

Has the devil drowned any of the male children in the river Nile at this time? Where are the men inthis denomination? They must be in the river Nile, for it is a symbol of the sins in the world, and thatis where we generally find the men; and the women in the church. The question may be asked, Whatsifted out the men? The Spirit of Prophecy teaches that we should see to it that employment isfurnished to new comers in the truth, to make it possible for them to keep the Sabbath. Also to takecare of the poor and sick among us. This instruction has been altogether disregarded, with the resultthat the men are sifted out of the church. Men love the truth as much as women do, but as soon asthey hear the truth, they begin to inquire about things. Immediately the difficulty arises, and thequestion is asked, How can I keep the Sabbath, and yet hold my position? If I should let my positiongo, can I secure another? Would the church

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help me find something to do? Would the church render some assistance in case of great need, suchas lack of food, clothing, or in case of sickness? All these questions are answered at once with, NO. The result is, the decision is made and the truth is turned down.

If the church had furnished some encouragement along these lines, this position would not havebeen taken by these newly interested parties, and the result would have been that the men as well asthe women would have been in the church. Men being the wage earners, the increase of tithes andofferings, cannot be estimated, and the little expenditure in helps would be but a fragment incomparison. Employment agency would be a great field to the denomination. Not only employmentwould have been secured from people outside of the organization, but the work among Adventistswould be secured by Adventists. Thus the men are "cast" into the world ("Nile"), but the women left("alive") in the church.

Moses Found By Princess

Quoting Ex. 2:2, 3: "And the woman conceived, and bare a son: And when she saw him that he wasa goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for himan ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch and put the child therein; and she laid itin the flags by the river's brink." Providence lead the Egyptian princess to the river to wash herself,and after seeing the ark, she sent her maid to fetch it. She saw that the babe wept, and she hadcompassion on him The sister of the babe stepped to Pharaoh's daughter, and said, "Shall I go andcall to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?" On the arrival ofthe child's mother, Pharaoh's daughter said, "Take this child away, and nurse it for me." And the childgrew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter at the age of 12, and the princess named him"Moses". The lesson here is, with all the Satanic schemes, it would be impossible to defeat the divinepurpose.

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Moses' Choice

As Moses (the type) received the highest education the courts of Pharaoh could produce, afterbecoming of age he was compelled to choose one of two things: either the throne of Egypt, or tosuffer affliction with the children of Israel. Just so, modern Moses (the anti-type) receives the highesteducation the denomination can produce (when of age) finished education, "professor."

Modern Moses as well being compelled to choose one of two things: Either professor in the world(Egypt) with a large income, fame, and the pleasures of sin for a season or to work for thedenomination with a small salary, and suffer affliction with the church (the children of Israel). AsMoses (the type) chose the latter, just so Moses the antitype prefers to stay with the denomination,"Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt". The statistics of themovement so we are told, show that 90% of the children who go to schools of the denominationremain true to the message. This proves the lesson taught here is correct.

Moses' Misconception

"And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto hisbrethren,...and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew....he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in thesand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: Andhe said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said, Who made theea prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Mosesfeared...But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian." Ex. 2:11-15.

Moses supposed he was to deliver the children of Israel by force or arms, therefore he rolled up hissleeves and went about his duty. Moses' misconception of the method to be used in the deliveranceof Israel was not the only thing wrong with the man. If that was the way he understood Israel wasto obtain their freedom, he failed to carry out the plan. His trouble was not because of lack ofeducation, or training as a general of armies, that he failed to carry out his

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project, but because he was too cowardly and feared Pharaoh. If this was not the cause of his failure,why then kill only one Egyptian, bury him in the sand, and after it was made known, run away andleave Israel to perish in slavery? If his intention, or understanding, was to lead Israel against thearmies of Egypt, he should not have hidden the Egyptian in the sand, but left him upon the groundfor an example, and then go after others. Failing to carry out his proposed scheme, Moses made adouble mistake.

This ancient Moses is a symbol of modern Moses (present leadership). As Moses' failure was notbecause of lack of training, but because of a misconceived idea of the method to be carried out, justso with the leadership now. As Moses failed to accomplish his own mistaken plan (what he supposedwas wise judgment), just so the leadership have now failed on their part. The aim has been to finishthe work in this generation which is practically past, and at the rate of speed the work is going now,it could not be finished in another 100 years. "We are in danger of trusting to methods, organization,and high-pressure service, which if taken alone, can, in the end, result only in confusion,dissatisfaction, and defeat." Review and Herald, Feb. 20, 1930.

The Application Of The Type

If Pharaoh is the king, the (leadership) who rules over the people, then the church is the "queen",then the "princess" is the church school. Egypt is a symbol of the world and the Nile a symbol of thesins of the world. By the aid of the God-fearing mother, Moses (the type) was not cast into the riverNile. Just so with Modern Moses, who, by the help of his Christian mother is saved from the riverNile (the sin in the world), but when she can not keep him any longer, and must send him to theschools of the land where sin reigns, the church school (the "princess") finds him. As Moses (thetype) received his education by the aid of the princess, just so modern Moses receives his educationby the aid of the church school.

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We, like Moses, have thought that we are to deliver Israel by force of arms (the aid of men). LikeMoses, we are too cowardly to accomplish anything. It has been said by a good minister of God,"This is wrong in the church, and that is not right, and should be corrected, but we can not do it." Why? Because he is afraid he will lose his job. But what shall we do? Work for God and trust inHim, or work for Pharaoh and trust in the job?

Quoting Volume 5, pages 80-82: "But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place, we shall be better ableto measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifestthat His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor....Those who have trusted tointellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace withthe light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God,and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will bedisclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Theyhave not had the light which has been shining in a concentrated blaze upon you. But, it may be undera rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will berevealed....In this time, the gold will be separated from the dross in the church....Many a star that wehave admired for its brilliancy, will then go out in darkness....The most weak and hesitating in thechurch will be as David--willing to do and dare....Then will the church of Christ appear 'fair as themoon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners'....God will work a work in our day thatbut few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unctionof His Spirit, than by the outward training of scientific institutions. These facilities are not to bedespised or condemned; they are ordained of God, but they can furnish only the exteriorqualifications. God

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will manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals."

Moses In The Wilderness

"But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian...And the priest ofMidian....gave Moses Zipporah his daughter to wife....Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro hisfather-in-law, the priest of Midian: And he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came tothe mountain of God...[Horeb],...and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was notconsumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is notburnt....God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Heream I....And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt,...And Iam come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians,...Come now therefore, and I willsend thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh,...And Moses said unto theLord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant:But I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 'I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaohhearken unto me?' And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh thedumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be thymouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say....And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it becamea serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, andtake it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand....And hesaid, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. And the anger of theLord was kindled against Moses." Read Ex. 2:15 to 4:13.

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Application Of The Lesson

This last Moses is the unlearned Moses. Note, he is slow of speech, has no eloquence is of a slowtongue, and "uncircumcised lips" (untrained). He knows not how to approach Pharaoh. He shrinkswith the thought of standing before the great monarch, like the mercury shrinks from the north wind,but though this Moses is handicapped, he has nerve; he is not a coward. He risks his life, for he wasasked only once to take the fabulous serpent by the tail, and he did so. This Moses is not a crownprince, but a common shepherd only. The shepherd Moses is a type of men who are to bring aboutreformation and be used in the time of the Loud Cry", brought to view in the following quotations. Quoting Life Sketches, page 245: "God is putting burdens upon more inexperienced shoulders. Heis fitting them to be caretaking, to venture, to run risks also." Volume 5, page 82: "He will raise upand exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit, than by the outwardtraining of scientific institutions."

Testimonies to Ministers, page 300: "Unless those who can help in--are aroused to a sense of theirduty, they will not recognize the work of God when the loud cry of the third angel shall be heard. When light goes forth to lighten the earth, instead of coming up to the help of the Lord, they willwant to bind about His work to meet their narrow ideas. Let me tell you that the Lord will work inthis last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will becontrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control thework of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under thedirection of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will useways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workerswill be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work ofrighteousness. Those who are accounted good workers will need to draw nigh to God, they will needthe divine touch." Also read Isaiah 3. "It is

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not men of great talents and titles that are needed so much as it is men who are great in faith, holiness,consecration, and love. Men who are great for God and great in simplicity, fidelity, andself-denial,--upon such transmitting God's message, life, and blessings to humanity, and for advancingHis kingdom in all the earth." Review and Herald, Feb. 20, 1930.

The Shepherd's Rod

The Spirit of Prophecy says in Patriarchs and Prophets, page 251, that the rod of Moses was asymbol of God's power. The shepherd's rod: Power of God; the sheep: God's people; the shepherd'srod is an instrument which is used to catch sheep. The rod in this is an instrument which is used tocatch people. What could it be? It can not be anything else but some wonderful, plain, clear-cuttingBible truth which could not be contradicted. When it is revealed, it will produce serpents (people),or converts, by reformation. But the Egyptians did the same also, for they cast down every man hisrod, and they became serpents, and perhaps more in number, for every man cast his rod, but theywere counterfeit. Symbols of hypocrisy (untrue Christians); but Moses' rod swallowed the rods ofthe Egyptians. Symbol of victory for true Israel. The result is opposition, but true Israel wins at last.

In Volume 5, page 696 we read: "They did not really cause their rods to become serpents, but bymagic, aided by the great deceiver, made them appear like serpents, to counterfeit the work of God." Symbol of an outward appearance of Christianity by Seventh-day Adventists. But one may say,What? God's people symbolized by a serpent? Why not by sheep? If the meek and lowly Christ wassymbolized by the brazen serpent in the wilderness which Moses raised up for the children of Israelto look upon, and be healed from bites of the fiery serpents, then God's people could be symbolizedby a serpent as well. If the rod would have turned into a sheep it would have spoiled the symbol, forthe 144,000 are not to be sheep in the sheep-fold and cared for by an earthly shepherd, but theopposite.

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For this reason the serpent is used as a symbol, meaning wise; cannot be frightened (would not runaway from anything: The opposite of sheep). They are to be filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaim themessage and triumph with victory. "And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peopleas a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for thesons of men. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people asa lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: Who, if he gothrough both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver." Micah 5:7, 8.

Death Of Firstborn

"And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: andall the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon histhrone, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn ofbeasts." Ex. 11:4, 5. "And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in theland of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captivethat was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle....and there was a great cry in Egypt; For therewas not a house where there was not one dead." Ex. 12:29, 30.

The firstborn, a symbol of a class of priesthood, a representation of Ezek. 9:6, last part "the ancientmen that were before the house." "From the firstborn the sitteth upon the throne to the firstborn inthe dungeon," symbol of Ezek. 9:6: "Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, andwomen:....Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house." "The firstborn ofcattle" symbol of Isa. 63:18 and Isa. 64:1; Num. 26:10.

"In the case of Achan's sin, God said to Joshua, 'Neither will I be with you any more, except yedestroy the accursed from among you.' How does this instance compare with the course pursued bythose who will not raise their voice against sin and wrong, but whose

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sympathies are ever found with those who trouble the camp of Israel with their sins? Said God toJoshua, 'Thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from amongyou.' He pronounced the punishment which would follow the transgression of this covenant....AndJoshua, and all Israel with him took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and thewedge of gold and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tentand all that he had; and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said Why hast thoutroubled us? The Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burnedthem with fire after they had stoned them with stones." Volume 3, pages 267-8.

"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeththe womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast; it is mine." Ex. 13:1, 2. A symbolof a new priesthood, and the firstborn of cattle representing a system of support, or maintenance. "Should a case like Achan's be among us, there are many who would accuse those who might act thepart of Joshua in searching out the wrong, of having a wicked, faultfinding spirit. God is not to betrifled with, and His warnings disregarded with impunity by a perverse people." Volume 3, page 270.

The Passover Lamb

"Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall taketo them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:...And ye shallkeep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: And the whole assembly of the congregationof Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two sideposts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it....And thus shall ye eat it;with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it inhaste: It is the Lord's passover....And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses whereye are: and when I see the blood,

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I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land ofEgypt." Ex. 12:3-13.

"All the ceremonies of the feast were types of the work of Christ. The deliverance of Israel fromEgypt was an object-lesson or redemption, which the Passover was intended to keep in memory. Theslain lamb, the unleavened bread, the sheaf of firstfruits, represented the Saviour." Desire of Ages,page 77.

The lamb represents Christ. Isa. 53:7. The lamb roasted by fire, the Spirit of God. Gen. 15:17; Acts 2:3; Lev. 9:24. The eating of the flesh: Christ is our life, for "in Him we live, and move, and have our being." John6:53. The loins girded: The truth of God, the Word. Eph. 6:14. The shoes on the feet: The preparation of the gospel. Eph. 6:15. The staff in the hand: The sword of the Spirit. Eph. 6:17. Ye shall eat it in haste: Do not hesitate; get ready; quick delivery. Ex. 12:11. Ex. 12:34, "And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading-troughs beingbound up in their clothes upon their shoulders." The kneading-trough is the Bible. Eph. 6:13. The dough is the word of God it contains. Eze. 44:30 (the type). Unleavened: The unadulterated word of God, and it must be kept as such. Rev. 22:18.

The kneading-troughs on their shoulders: Means make sure you have the whole Word of Godcontinually with you. Thus shall you depart from Egypt. Eph. 6:13. "The bondage in Egyptrepresents the bondage of sin. The promises of deliverance are the promises of the gospel. Thepower revealed in the judgments upon the gods of Egypt indicates the measure of power providedfor the deliverance from the hard service of 'the god of this world'." Review and Herald, Jan. 23,1930.

The blood on the door post is the symbol of the "seal", Revelation 7;

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"mark," Ezekiel 9 (Rev. 7 and Eze. 9, is the same mark or seal). See Testimonies To Ministers, page445.

The blood being applied on the door post is to signify that the seal, or mark by which the 144,000are to be sealed, is to be visible.

The "door post" and the "forehead" both have the same significance. We do not mean to say thatit is a certain visible brand, or mark on their foreheads, but a "seal" of character, principal, or rule;the standard being the pure Word of God. Thus they apply the blood on the door post, and theirbrethren in the church could be conscious of a change.

The only ones who can have the seal are those who sigh and cry for all the abominations (sins) thatare done in the church. But if any take part and try to throw a cloak over the existing evil in thechurch, then they are left without the seal. Read Volume 5, pages 207-12; Volume 3, page 266.]

The Red Sea

The Red Sea symbolizes Isaiah 63. Edom means "red." "Edom" is Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. His name was changed to Edom because he sold his birthright for a bowl of "red pottage", and Esauhimself was red, therefore, we have Red Sea, red man, red pottage. Read Esau and Jacob, Section3.

"Sea," a symbol of "people." Rev. 17:15.

Pharaoh and his host: The chief instigators against reformation. "Egypt had developed an intricateecclesiastical organization. It was proud of its religious institutions; it despised this people Israel whodid not worship according to the popular religion, and who now, under the message of reformpreached by Moses, were taking their stand yet more fully to represent the truth and the law ofJehovah." Review and Herald, Jan. 23, 1930.

Bozrah: sheep-fold (the church). Micah 2:12; Isa. 34:6.

Edomites: Those who sold their birthright to gratify appetite. They make their stomachs their god;violators of health reform. For further explanation see page 156, under heading "Afflicted for His

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People's Sake." "The bondage in Egypt represents the bondage of sin. The promises of deliveranceare the promises of the gospel. The power revealed in the judgments upon the gods of Egyptindicates the measure of power provided for the deliverance from the hard service of "the god of thisworld." The glorious triumph at the Red Sea foreshadows the victory which is assured to everytrusting child of God." Review and Herald, Jan. 23, 1930.

Mount Sinai

"In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the sameday came they into the wilderness of Sinai."..."And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lordthy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalthave no other gods before Me." Ex. 19:1; Ex. 20:1-3. Here is where the 430 years ended, beginningwith Abraham going out of Ur. Patriarchs and Prophets, page 760. Here is where Moses organizeda church, when he appointed seventy elders, and where God spoke to the people Himself. Theexperience at Sinai is a symbol of re-organization of the church,--God Himself takes charge of theflock. We read in Volume 5, page 80: "We have been inclined to think that where there are nofaithful ministers, there can be no true Christians; but this is not the case. God has promised thatwere the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock Himself. God has never made theflock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the days of purification of the church arehastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place,we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel."

New Name Given To Church

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;...I know thy works, that thou art neithercold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither coldnor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth." Rev. 3:14-16.

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Note that the existence of the present name--"Seventh-day Adventist" is conditional, otherwise thename will be spued out of His mouth. "And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thyglory: And thou shalt be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name." Isa. 62:2. "And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen [the 144,000]: For the Lord God shall slaythee, and call his servants by another name." Isa. 65:15. Read Testimonies to Ministers, page 300.

This is where Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 52:1, will be fulfilled: "Awake, awake; put on thystrength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: For henceforth there shallno more come unto thee the uncircumcised and the unclean." Also read Isaiah 4. Zeph. 3:13 "Theremnant of Israel shall not do iniquity nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in theirmouth: For they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."

"The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity." This prophecy has never yet met its fulfillment in thehistory of the church, for there have always been the unclean in the midst of her; but let us thank Godfor this generous promise. The scroll is making a turn. Shall we pray to God that we fall not out bythe way in making the bend? "Clad in the armor of Christ's righteousness, the church is to enter uponher final conflict. 'Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,' she is togo forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer." Prophets and Kings, page 725.

What Is The Number Of Israel?

It has been made clear that Israel after the flesh is a photograph of Israel by the promise. In theexodus movement, all the tribes went out of Egypt. If this is a photograph of Israel by the promise,then all the twelve tribes must come out now as well. Twelve tribes must escape the ruin of Ezekiel9 (death of the firstborn), and Isaiah 63 (The Red Sea). The number of them is said to be 12,000from each tribe, making a total of 144,000. For the reason that they have

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passed through a similar experience as ancient Israel, they (the 144,000) sing a new song of Mosesand the Lamb. "Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he thatbrought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he that put his holy Spiritwithin him? That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the waterbefore them, to make himself an everlasting name? That led them through the deep, as an horse inthe wilderness, that they should not stumble? As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of theLord caused him to rest: So didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name." Isa.63:11-14. This Scripture can not refer to another company than the one we speak of.

What Constitutes The Remnant?

The definition of "remnant" is: That which is left after the separation, removal, or destruction of apart. (Standard Dictionary). The beginning of the church of Christ in the days of the apostles wasnot a large "bolt" just starting to unroll, getting smaller and smaller down through the ages, and now,being at the end of the history of the church be the smallest portion, or that which is left. But, on thecontrary, the church just began then to roll on, and had but a very small beginning. It has been rollingand rolling, and putting on all through the ages, and the very end of the history of the church is byno means a remnant. "Remnant" signifies a very small portion, a fragment, or a small bit. The Mastersaid the harvest is at the end of the world; the angels are the reapers. Then there is reaping to bedone. "Harvest" means a collection of crops; to gather, store up, or garner in. According to this theharvest is by no means a remnant, but just the opposite, for at harvest we gather in the most.

The remnant of Israel must be something else than what we have thought it to be for "remnant" isa small portion, or part which is left after a destruction. The destruction is the mighty shaking, siftingtime which is the separation of the two classes in the church (the sealing of the 144,000) asprophesied in Ezekiel 9, and Isaiah 63. Those who escape are the "remnant." The Bible gives noother

In the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, is recorded the same incident we have tried to explain here. Inthe eleventh verse we read of the remnant which we speak of: "And it shall come to pass in that day,that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, whichshall be left." Isa. 11:11. Early Writings, page 270: "I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen,and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of theTrue Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver and will leadhim to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people."

Isa. 11:12, first part: "And he shall set up an ensign for the nations." Again we read in Isa. 66:19,"And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations." The63rd chapter has the same reference as Isaiah 59, part of verse 19, is here quoted: "So shall they fearthe name of the Lord from the west and his glory from the rising of the sun." The "sign" is extensivefrom the east to the west, and has a meaning for the entire world. The "destruction" is the "sign" andexample to the nations, and the "remnant" are those who are left (the 144,000). Following this wehave the "Loud Cry" (the harvest): "Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, andovercome, be the price what it may have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they willreceive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation." Volume 1, page 187. "But he said, Nay; lestwhile ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until theharvest: And in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares and bindthem in bundles to burn them: But gather the wheat into my barn." Matt. 13:29, 30.

The same thought is also supported in Patriarchs and Prophets,

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page 541: "The feast of Tabernacles was not only commemorative, but typical. It not only pointedback to the wilderness sojourn, but, as the feast of harvest, it celebrated the ingathering of the fruitsof the earth, and pointed forward to the great day of final ingathering, when the Lord of the harvestshall send forth his reapers to gather the tares together in bundles for the fire, and to gather the wheatinto his garner. At that time the wicked will all be destroyed." (Those outside the church.)

Note that the separation takes place just at the beginning of harvest; also that the tares are gatheredin first. The separation marks the beginning of harvest. The harvest is the loud cry of the thirdangel's message. (Rev. 18:1). In this time of harvest the great multitude (of Rev. 7:9) with the palmsin their hands is gathered. While this great multitude is being made up and gathered into His barn,the reapers are binding the wicked in bundles (separated, or kept apart from the church) for the wrathof God. See Rev. 14:19.

Cloud By Day--Fire By Night

"And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by nightin a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloudby day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." [It was not Moses that led Israel outof Egypt, but the pillar of the cloud that went before the people.] "And the Lord went beforethem....to lead them in the way...to go by day and by night. He took not away the pillar....from beforethe people." Ex. 13:21, 22. According to 1 Cor. 10:4, in this pillar of cloud by day and the pillar offire by night was Christ Himself: "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of thatspiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." Thus we see that the Lord lead outIsrael Himself, and not Moses. The people as well as Moses followed the cloud. All Moses did wasto convey to the people the words and instructions received from the Lord.

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This is the experience of Israel after the flesh, which we call a photograph of Israel by promise. Ifthis is true, then the 144,000 must experience the same in departing out from worldlings (Egypt). Volume 5, page 80: "God has promised that where the shepherds are not true He will take charge ofthe flock Himself." Patriarchs and Prophets, page 283: "In one of the most beautiful and comfortingpassages of Isaiah's prophecy reference is made to the pillar of cloud and of fire to represent God'scare for His people in the great final struggle with the powers of evil: 'The Lord will create uponevery dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and theshining of a flaming fire by night; for above all the glory shall be a covering. And there shall be atabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert fromstorm and from rain'." Thus, the idea of Israel being a photograph is supported by both the Bible andthe Spirit of Prophecy.

Joseph, Type Of Christ

Joseph stands as a perfect type of Christ. First of all, the name "Joseph" means "he shall add". SoChrist added the human family to the heavenly. Had any sin been recorded against Joseph, it wouldhave spoiled the type, for Christ is not a sinner. Joseph was loved by his father above all his brethren. Of Christ we read in Heb. 1:9, "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God,even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."

Joseph was sent down into Egypt to preserve the lives of his brethren in the seven years of famine. Just so, Christ descended to preserve the lives of His brethren in this world of sin, in A.D.

Joseph was sold to Ishmaelites who were the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's seed after theflesh. Just so, Christ was sold to priests, the descendants of Abraham, (Israel after the flesh).

Joseph was a governor, and no man could lift hand or foot, in all the land of Egypt, without theknowledge of Joseph. Just so,

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Christ is a governor over the world (Egypt), and no man can lift hand or foot without the knowledgeof Christ.

As there was only one above Joseph, namely Pharaoh, just so, there is only one above Christ: God,the Father.

Joseph was 30 years old when he became governor; Christ was 30 years of age when anointed.

As Joseph married the daughter of an idolatrous priest, just so, Christ marries His church which ismade up of idolatrous nations.

As Joseph gathered the corn in the seven years of plenty into the storehouses to feed the world inthe seven years of famine, just so, Christ gathered the Word of God in the Old Testament time intothe great storehouse (the Bible) to feed the world in the New Testament time. One may say, TheNew Testament came in A.D. True, but the New Testament is only the fulfillment of the Old.

Had not Joseph become a governor of Egypt before the beginning of the seven years of plenty, itwould have spoiled the significance, and the type would not then have indicated that Christ ruledbefore the world's history began. Thus we see Joseph is a perfect type of Christ.

Pharaoh, Type Of Leaders

The Pharaoh who honored Joseph is a perfect type of the earthly head of the church of the apostles. Had Pharaoh not been an Egyptian it would have spoiled the type. Egypt, a symbol of the world,signifies an earthly leadership taken out of the world. Had not Pharaoh honored Joseph above everyman in Egypt, or had he not commanded the Egyptians to go to Joseph for corn, it would havespoiled the symbol of the church leadership in the days of the apostles, for they exalted and honoredChrist above every man in the entire world, also commended the Gentiles to Christ as their life giver.

If the first Pharaoh makes a perfect type of the church leadership in the days of the apostles thenwe must accept the last Pharaoh who knows not Joseph, as a perfect type of the church leadershipwho have turned from following Christ, their Leader. Volume 5, page

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217: "The church has turned back from following Christ, her Leader, and is steadily retreating towardEgypt." Thus Israel the true (the 144,000) became slaves under Egyptian bondage (the sins in theworld). "The bondage in Egypt represents the bondage of sin." Review and Herald, Jan. 23, 1930. "And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: But they regard not thework of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands. Therefore my people are gone intocaptivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and theirmultitude dried up with thirst." Isa. 5:12, 13.

Israel being a type of this Advent movement is not a new idea just thought of in this lesson. Thewhole denomination believes so, for we read in the Review and Herald of Oct. 10, 1929, thefollowing statements: "While the exodus movement was a great movement the second adventmovement will be still greater. God will take out a people, not from one nation only, but from everynation under heaven, and He will lead them into the heavenly Canaan. This advent movement, ofwhich the exodus movement was a type, we believe was foretold in prophecy in the following stirringlanguage: 'It shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time torecover the remnant of His people, which shall be left,' 'There shall be a highway for the remnant ofHis people;...like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.' Isa. 11:16."

The word "type" means the same as the word "photograph". The very first photo invented wascalled "tin type." Thus we have the approval of the denomination that "Israel after the flesh" is aphotograph of Israel by the promise (the 144,000). As God called out Israel from Egypt anciently,just so now, God is calling His church out from worldlings and worldliness, to be a separate, peculiarpeople to His honor and glory. This does not mean another movement, but it does mean that Godis to deal with the entire body, and those who escape are Israel, the 144,000.

Quoting Review and Herald, May 1, 1930: "Every evil thing

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must be shaken from the movement. So it was in the exodus movement. When there was sin amongthe people, the Lord did not give up that movement which He had brought out of Egypt and startanother one. He did not call the believers out, but He shook unbelief out of the movement [bydestruction causing their death]. He purified it by setting aside from it every element that did notbelong with the movement that He was leading according to His promise. On one pretext or another,unbelief and disorder moved out, while the movement itself marched on."

If the exodus movement is a photograph of the true, then the 430 year period connected withancient Israel must be considered with the one now.

The 430 Years Of Sojourning And Affliction

The 430 year period of sojourning and affliction with Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, which dates withAbraham going out of Ur, coincides with our time from the Reformation by Luther, to the sealing ofIsrael by the promise (the 144,000). Quoting Patriarchs and Prophets, page 760: "The actual timespent in Egypt could have been only about 215 years. The Bible says that 'the sojourning of thechildren of Israel' was 430 years. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the ancestors of the Israelites weresojourners in Canaan. The period of 430 years dates from the promise given to Abraham when hewas commanded to leave Ur of the Chaldees. The 400 years of Gen. 15:13 dates from a later period. Notice that the period of 400 years is not only a time of sojourning, but of affliction. This, accordingto the Scriptures, must be reckoned from thirty years later, about the time when Ishmael, 'he that wasborn after the flesh, persecuted him [Isaac] that was born after the Spirit.' Gal. 4:29."

Paul, in Gal. 3:15-17, says that from the making of the covenant with Abraham to the giving of thelaw at Sinai was 430 years. From these Scriptures then, we are not to understand that the Israeliteswere in Egypt 400 years. See Ex. 12:40. According to this the 430 years began with Abraham goingout of Ur, and ended with

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Mount Sinai. Consequently we have to take the entire period into consideration, beginning withAbraham, which has a definite time of certain existing conditions. At the beginning of the 430 years,idolatry prevailed everywhere: Abraham alone was called out. Such is the spiritual condition thatmarked the beginning of the prophetic period in its type. Just so the beginning of the time of theduplicate or antitype must be marked with a time of low spiritual condition. In the time of MartinLuther we have the exact reproduction of Abraham's experience, for in Luther's time spiritualdarkness and idolatry prevailed everywhere. Abraham is a fitting figure of Luther.

Abraham was called of God by the spoken word, Luther by the written. Abraham is the father offaith; so is Luther. The doctrine taught by Luther was "the just shall live by faith." If this is true, thenthe 430 years in our time began with Luther. About 1500 A.D. Luther discovered in the library ofthe University of Urfurt, a Latin Bible, and found to his no small delight that it contained more thanthe excerpts in common use. Thus God by His word, called Luther out of Papal Rome.

We have first, a period of 400 years and then it was extended to 430 years. We therefore, have a30 year period to deal with first. It has been stated that the 30 years ended about the time Ishmaelpersecuted Isaac. According to this, about the year 1530 A.D., something must have been broughtforth. What took place in 1530? The Augsburg Confession: A document compiled by Luther whichwas presented by the Protestants at the Diet of Augsburg to the Emperor Charles V, and the Diet,and being signed by the protestant states was adopted as their creed, and who protested against thepope. This coincides with Sarah protesting against Agar and Ishmael when they departed from thehouse of Abraham, and the assurance of the covenant of Promise that was made with Isaac. As Sarahprotested against Agar and Ishmael, so Protestants protested against papal rule. This is just exactlywhat should have taken place in 1530 A.D. to fit the occurrence of the prophecy.

At the time Isaac was persecuted by Ishmael, he (Isaac) was

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five years old, and at the time Jacob was born, Isaac was 60; therefore, we add 55 years to 1530which brings us to 1585 A.D. Explanation of this period will be given later. From the birth of Jacobto the time Israel went into Egypt was 130 years. Adding this number to 1585 gives us 1715 A.D. The explanation of this period also will be given later. From the time Israel went into Egypt to thebirth of Moses was 135 years. Adding this to 1715 brings the total to 1850 A.D. This period ismarked by the birth of Moses, which was a hope, a deliverer, for Israel.

What took place in 1850? The first testimony was written to the church and addressed "To ThoseWho Are Receiving The Seal Of The Living God." Signed, E. G. White. Thus the birth of Moses,the hope of Israel after the flesh, coincides with the birth of the first testimony for the church, thehope of Israel by the promise, the 144,000. Thus we see a perfect harmony in the type with antitype. See Origin and Progress of Seventh-day Adventists, page 749.

Moses at the age of 40 years attempted to deliver Israel, and failed. Adding 40 years to 1850, wehave 1890 A.D. What happened at this time? The following statement was made by Sister Whitein 1892: "If the people of God had gone to work as they should have gone to work right after theMinneapolis meeting in 1888, the world could have been warned in two years and the Lord wouldhave come." General Conference Bulletin, 1892. (This reference was given us by a Seventh-dayAdventist minister of Los Angeles, Calif.) About the same time (1890) National Religious Liberty wasorganized by the denomination. Thus the attempt and failure of Moses' experience to set freedomto Israel from Egyptian bondage coincides with organizing religious liberty, and God's people failedto do their duty. "National Religious Liberty Association organized July 21, 1889." Origin andProgress of S.D.A., page 752.

Forty years later Moses was called and sent back to Egypt and did set Israel free from the Egyptianbondage. Adding 40 to 1890 brings the total to 1930. This period should be marked by areformation and purification of the church, fulfilling Malachi 3, and

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Ezekiel 9. "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the secondtime to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left." Isa. 11:11.

The two periods, 1585 and 1715, will now be explained. 1585 corresponds with the birth of Jacob,and 1715 corresponds with Israel going down into Egypt. The entering into Egypt with seventy soulstypified the birth of Seventh-day Adventists as explained on pages 73-74, but Seventh-day Adventismwas not born until 1845. To get the truth of these two periods we must count back to the birth ofJacob, for it is a birth that we are dealing with. We have 130 years from the entrance into Egypt tothe birth of Jacob, and 85 years from the birth of Jacob to Abrahams' departure out of Ur. Therefore,we must go backwards and subtract the first 85 years period (from the going out of Ur to the birthof Jacob) from 1930 and we have 1845. Thus, we get the year of the birth of Seventh-dayAdventists. Miss Ellen Harmon then had her first vision and it was about the 144,000 (Israel by thepromise), and the first paper published then on the Sabbath truth was called "The Hope of Israel." See Origin and Progress of Seventh-day Adventists, page 749.

Now subtract the 130 year period (from the birth of Jacob to the entering into Egypt) from 1845and we have 1715 A.D., the year which was marked by Israel going into Egypt. Thus, 1715,becomes the dividing line between Canaan and Egypt, just as Christ became the dividing line betweenB.C. and A.D. Note how it coincides on the chart. If these coincidents were divinely designed, thenthe beginning and ending of the prophecy as on the following chart, would be correct.

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[COINCIDENT CHART]PICTURE

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PICTURE

This is the reason why we have 1500 A.D. as the starting point of this prophecy, and if thesecoincidents were divinely designed, then the beginning and the endings of the prophecy as on thischart, would be correct. See chart on Ezekiel's prophecy on page 133.

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SECTION V.

The Prophecy Of Ezekiel Four

(What Transpires Within The 390 Days)

"For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, threehundred and ninety days: So shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when thou hastaccomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judahforty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year." Eze. 4:5, 6. The prophecy of the fourthchapter of Ezekiel finds its fulfillment in our day. This prophecy could not possibly refer to Israelafter the flesh, though it deals with a period of 430 years in about the same manner as the prophecymade to Abraham. "And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger ina land that is not their's, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years." Gen.15:13. But Ex. 12:40 says, "Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, wasfour hundred and thirty years." So the prophecy to Abraham was made in two sections, first being400 years, and then to 430 years. Ezekiel's prophecy is made exactly the same way, in two sections,but not the same number of years in each section. Instead of 400 years, we have 390 years, andinstead of 30 years, we have 40, making the same total of 430 in each case If this prophecy had areference to the prophecy made to Abraham, there should have been the same number of years in eachsection, but since it is not the same, it must be another period of time.

Again, the prophecy of Israel after the flesh is that they should sojourn and be afflicted 430 years,but this prophecy of Ezekiel says in verse 13, "And the Lord said Even thus shall the children of Israeleat their defiled bread among the Gentiles whither I will drive them." Therefore it is evident that thisprophecy refers to another Period of time, and experience, than that of the experience of Israel inEgypt. The prophecy made to Abraham of 430 years ended at the

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time the children of Israel went out of Egypt, which is according to Bible chronology (King James'Version) 1491 B.C. According to the same chronology, the 430-year period of the children of Israelhad ended 896 years before Ezekiel was even given the vision of his prophecy, and he put theprophecy in the future, for he uses future tense. "Even thus shall the children of Israel eat theirdefiled bread." So it is altogether impossible for one to form a conclusion that these two propheciesdeal with the same period and experience of Israel down in Egypt.

This period (by Ezekiel) had no reference to Israel after the flesh in Ezekiel's time, for the Lord said(Eze. 4:5), "For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days,three hundred and ninety days: So shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel." In this versethe Lord said the 390 days (or years) are for the iniquity of the house of Israel, but in the next versethe 40 year period has reference to Judah. "And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thyright side and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days." Therefore, Israel andJudah are referred to.

The kingdom of the twelve tribes of Israel was divided into two divisions in their early years;namely, Israel and Judah. But at the time Ezekiel had this vision there was only one division, for theten tribes had been conquered and carried away in 721 B.C., 126 years before this prophecy wasmade, according to the same chronology. Being in the future, the prophecy, then, could have noreference to Israel after the flesh. This 430 year period has never yet been applied to any time, orpeople, in the past, and therefore, has never been explained, just the same as many other propheciesthat were never understood until they met their fulfillment. If the time of its fulfillment has come,then only shall we understand this prediction.

We begin with the fourth verse and onward (we shall later take the first three, and last two verses). Israel after the flesh was a type of Israel by the promise (144,000), as explained on pages 64-113. The experiences of the children of Israel in Egypt was a photograph of

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our denomination, thus their experience is being reproduced in every particular with this people, andif there are 430 years connected with Israel after the flesh, then the same period of time must beconnected with the true. The 430 year period (by Abraham) did not have to do only with ancientIsrael, but with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as well. The prophecy to Abraham of the 430 years beganwith the call to come out of Ur, and ended at Mt. Sinai; but this 430 years which ended at Mt. Sinaiwas a type as explained on pages 108-109.

The typical 430 years prophesied to Abraham began in the true (our time) with Martin Luther, asexplained on pages 108-111, therefore both prophecies--the one to Abraham and the one toEzekiel--refer to the same period in our time. The one to Abraham stands as a type, but the other isa direct prophecy, and both run parallel in our time. We may suppose the 390 year period began inabout 1500 A.D., (when Luther found the Bible), and ended in 1890 A.D., where the 40 year periodbegan, which would end in 1930. However, we cannot point out the exact day or month, or even theyear, because (1) we do not know the exact day of the call of Luther; (2) prophecy deals with theJewish, or perhaps the Hebrew year, therefore, it is a matter of months that we cannot determine. It may run until 1931, or even after, if the coincidences as explained on chart, pages 112, 113, werenot divinely designed to point out this fact. The question may be asked, Why would God make adouble prophecy for the same thing?--because the old prophecy (the type) only gives the details fromthe beginning of the third angel's message to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 9. The prophecy by Ezekielgives the information in detail from the beginning of Luther's reformation to Ezekiel 9, marking ofthe 144,000, and unrolling of the scroll. ("Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood, nor willit be understood until the unrolling of the scroll." Volume 6, page 17.)

It makes it clear that there is a 430 year period from the reformation by Luther to the purificationof the church, as we shall endeavor to prove by Ezekiel's prophecy which we quote here. "Lie thoualso upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel

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upon it: According to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity. For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, threehundred and ninety days: So shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when thou hastaccomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judahforty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year....Take thou also unto thee wheat and barley,and beans, and lentils, and millet, and fitches [margin, spelt], and put them in one vessel, and makethee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, threehundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof. And thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight,twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it. Thou shalt drink also water by measure, thesixth part of an hin: From time to time shalt thou drink." Ezek. 4:4-6, 9-11.

Ezekiel was commanded to lie on his left side for 390 days during which time he was to eat anddrink. After the 390 days were ended, he must turn to his right side and lie for forty days, but duringthis time he must not eat. The 390 days are 390 literal years according to the last part of Ezek. 4:6. As we have made the application, the 390 years began with Luther and ended in 1890. During thisperiod of time Ezekiel was told to eat and drink while he lay on his left side. What is he told toeat?--six varieties of food; namely, wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt (margin). We arenot to understand these six varieties to be material food to sustain physical life, but as symbols ofspiritual food (doctrines) of six varieties to sustain spiritual life. Had these not been symbols of truth,the Lord would not have asked Ezekiel to get a specified number of cereals, and that he should putthem in one vessel, and bake them into a certain cake, and eat them at a specified time, in a particularway, with a fixed measure of water. These six doctrines may be represented by six steps upward(Reformation; an effort to bring the church to her state of purity.

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Wheat, Symbol Of Faith

The first portion of spiritual food or truth which we were to receive, represented by the wheat, was"faith", as taught by Luther, as his doctrine was "The just shall live by faith". The wheat, whichsymbolized the doctrine Luther gave us must be perfect in itself to make a perfect symbol of thatdoctrine. Note the truth of the wheat: It has always been used by all generations, and everybody usesit and it is hard to get along without. Just so, all must have the doctrine of "faith". "Without faithit is impossible to please Him" so the Bible says. Not only Christians, but other religions must havefaith as well as they must have wheat. Even the infidel, and the atheist must exercise faith in whateverhe may believe. We can see that inspiration used the right kind of symbol to represent the doctrineof "faith."

Barley, Symbol Of Spirit

The second portion of food, or truth which we were to get was represented by barley. John Knoxwas the next man who made the second step by teaching the doctrine represented by the barley whichwas the truth of the "Holy Spirit." Barley is not so commonly or widely used as wheat. In fact, fewpeople would use it, and at that, very seldom. Many people do not know what barley is; so with thedoctrine of the "Holy Spirit". While the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is believed by some Christians,it is not believed by others. Some do not understand what the truth of the Spirit is, even as some donot know what barley is; so the symbol representing the second doctrine is perfect, even as the first. Gideon's experience with the Midianite's dream of the barley cake overturning the tent proves thesame. Read Judges 7:13, 14.

Beans, Symbol Of Grace

Beans are just as widely and commonly used by all the people and all generations the same as wheatJohn Wesley, the third man

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on the stage of action as a great reformer, made the third step upward by teaching the doctrine of"Grace", which was represented by the beans. All believe in grace. So much so, that men no longerfear God, and have declared His law void. He is too gracious, and too merciful, they say, and as weare under grace, God will do neither good nor evil. Thus, Christians these days have perverted itstrue meaning, even as they all love beans, and have perverted the proper name by calling them "porkand beans." What more fitting symbol could have been chosen to represent the doctrine of grace thanthe one God has selected?

Lentils, Type Of Doctrine Of Baptism By Immersion

Lentils are used to represent the fourth portion of truth. Alexander Campbell is credited withmaking the fourth step upward by teaching the doctrine of baptism by immersion, symbolized by thelentils. The variety (lentils) representing the fourth doctrine (baptism by immersion) is not known orused even as much as barley: so with the truth of immersion. Baptism by immersion in theold-fashioned way is not generally practiced, even as lentils are not generally used. Again God hasused the right kind of symbol to represent this portion of truth.

Millet, Symbol Of 2300 Days

The fifth portion of truth is represented by millet, and the fifth reformer was William Miller. Hetaught the prophecy of Daniel 8:14, which was the doctrine of the 2300 days. Millet is scarcelyknown, and those who do know what it is say it is of little worth, merely a wild grass with scarcelyany farming value, and not desired by anybody. Nevertheless it is a good cereal. Just so with thedoctrine taught by Miller. No one has any use for it and Seventh-day Adventists are practically theonly people who teach it. Those who do not accept this doctrine say it is good for nothing, andcharge Miller as being a false prophet. Though it is a wonderful prophecy and reveals a great truth,yet people will not accept it. "It is good for

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nothing, with no spiritual value, and we have no need of it", is the cry. Again the question is asked,Could a better symbol than millet be found to represent the doctrine of the 2300 days?

Spelt, Symbol Of The Sabbath In Connection With The Sanctuary

The last cereal mentioned in Ezekiel's prophecy is spelt, which represents the sixth truth or doctrinewhich is the Sabbath truth in the light as given by Sister E.G. White, in connection with the heavenlySanctuary. The definition of "spelt" (as in the margin) according to the Standard Dictionary is asfollows: "A cereal intermediate between wheat and barley....It was the chief cereal of ancient Egypt,being probably the rye of the time of Moses, but cultivated now mainly in Switzerland, southernGermany, and northern Spain."

Spelt is an ancient cereal, used in ancient Egypt in the days of Moses, and it was the rye in the daysof Joseph. So is the Sabbath an ancient truth which originated in the Garden of Eden, and was thelast recorded act of Creation. It was the truth in the days of Moses, the first man in the Bible whoinstituted Sabbath keeping. Spelt is a little better known than millet, and has some farming value, butonly in certain portions of the globe, even as the Sabbath is better known than the 2300 days. Wouldany dare say these are not all perfect symbols, or that it is only a certain man's interpretation, and onlyan accident, or just happened, and yet fit so perfectly? But thus far only one phase has beenexplained.

All In One Vessel

The Lord said to the prophet Ezekiel, "Put them in one vessel" (Ezek.4:9). It will now beconsidered as to whether he really did put all these doctrines in one vessel. Luther believed in thedoctrine he taught, but the great enemy flooded the church with deception. Not with arguing thetruth. No, no. But suggesting to the people that they now have all the truth, and that they surelywere right,

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thus hardening their hearts against more light. Soon additional truth came, but Satan had alreadyflooded the church with his agents, and prejudice was aroused against the new light. The result wasthat the majority turned down the truth. A few saw the light and as the case generally is, they werevoted out by the church. Necessity gave birth to a new movement, or denomination. Such has beenthe experience with the church in each advancing truth up the line to our own time.

In like manner, the truth represented by the barley (Spirit) was turned down by those who hadaccepted the doctrine symbolized by the wheat (faith). Knox believed in all the truth he had and alsoall the truth Luther taught. Thus the wheat and the barley were in one vessel and carried to thesecond step.

We next have the truth symbolized by the beans (grace) and presented by Wesley, who believed alsoin the truths previously taught by Luther and Knox, which were represented by the wheat and barley. The third step was made, and the wheat, barley, and beans were in one vessel. The fourth truth wasrepresented by lentils (baptism by immersion) and taught by Campbell, who believed in the doctrinesof Luther, Knox, and Wesley. Thus the wheat, barley, beans and lentils were carried to the fourthstep, and in one vessel. The fifth truth (2300) was represented by millet, and this step upward wasmade by William Miller who believed in all the truths symbolized by wheat, barley, beans, and lentils. The fifth step was made and the five varieties of food of truth were carried in one vessel.

We now come to the last variety of the cereals: "spelt" (Sabbath), in connection with the judgment. Is it not a fact that the Seventh-day Adventist denomination believes in all these truths: The wheat(faith); barley (Holy Spirit); beans (grace); lentils (immersion); millet (2300 days); spelt (Sabbath,with the sanctuary truth)? It will be noticed the Lord said, "Put them in one vessel". He did not sayin two, or more, but in one. There are no other people besides Seventh-day Adventists who believein the 2300 days (cleansing of the Sanctuary), and it is this denomination (vessel)

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which teaches all the six doctrines as represented by the six varieties of food. Thus the prophecymeets its fulfillment in our day, and we are amazed with the difficulty to comprehend the greatwisdom of the Lord our God.

Barley Cake

The Lord told Ezekiel, "Thou shalt eat it as barley cakes." Ezek.4:12. Why the wheat beans,lentils, millet, and spelt made as barley cake? Why not as wheat cake, or cake of some of the othercereals? The truth of the Holy Spirit was represented by the barley; as explained on page 118. Forthis reason Ezekiel was told to make it into barley cake, meaning the truth came by the power of theHoly Spirit, and not by the aid of men.

"I Will Lay Bands Upon Thee"

Quoting Ezek. 4:8, we read: "And, behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn theefrom one side to another, till thou hast ended the days of thy siege." The prophet was to lie on hisleft side 390 days. During this time he was to eat the varieties of food. But why on the left side? Why not on the right? Because the symbol would not have been perfect had he lain on his right sidewhile eating. The stomach of a man is shaped something like a crescent, with a narrow neck to theright as an outlet. If a man lies on his left side, the outlet is upward, against gravity, and consequentlywould be difficult to empty itself, which would cause the food to remain within it. Had it not beenfor the bands the Lord put around Ezekiel, he would have turned to his right side, thus spoiling thesymbol. The meaning is that even though the great enemy tried to force out every truth by prejudiceand insinuations, and casting out of the church those who were teaching these new truths as it hasbeen in each instance in the past, yet God saw to it that every truth would remain until He has putthem in one vessel, and so it is.

"Thou Shalt Drink Also Water"

"Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an

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hin: From time to time shalt thou drink." Ezek. 4:11. Water, when taken in gives life; without it,existence would be impossible. Christ, speaking to the woman at the well, said: "But the water thatI shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14. Christreferred to "water" as a symbol of everlasting life. The meaning of the symbol of drinking the waterwith the barley cakes is that souls were to be saved by each new truth (the Spirit of life).

Meat By Weight--Water By Measure

Ezek. 4:10, 11--"And thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight....Thou shalt drink also waterby measure." The "measure" and "weight" are symbols signifying that God would only give truth bymeasure, a little at a time. As the prophecy reads, "from time to time shalt thou eat and drink", andso has God given light a little at a time as we could grasp it. It has come in its exact Biblical order:Faith, Spirit, grace, baptism, time of the end, and the Sabbath (Rest).

Abraham, the father of the faithful, is the symbol of faith; Isaac, the symbol of Spirit of truth (as theBible says he was born after the Spirit); Jacob the symbol of grace, (for as he was a sinful man, hadit not been for the grace of God, he could not have prevailed.) The Exodus movement is the symbolfor baptism, for we read in 1 Cor. 10:2, "And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in thesea." The wilderness life is the symbol of the sanctuary question at the end of the 2300 days; it wasin the wilderness that the heavenly sanctuary was described by the earthly. "The promised land" isa symbol of the Sabbath rest. In the promised land they were to rest had they driven out the heathenbut because of national pride and disbelief, they failed to obtain the promised rest. The disobedienceof Israel in the promised land is a symbol of our failing to obey God at the present time.

Explanation Of Ezekiel 4:12, 14, 15

Wonderful prophecy as it is, the saddest part now is to be told.

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The Scripture about to be quoted has perhaps never been read publicly or reproduced in an literature,but if it was never to be studied out, read in public, or published, God would never have placed it inthe Bible. However, it is there, no doubt for a purpose, and must be considered. The quotation asfound in Ezek. 4:12, 14, 15, reads as follows:-- "And thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh outof man, in their sight....Then said I, Oh Lord God! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: For frommy youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neithercame there abominable flesh into my mouth. Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dungfor man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith."

The prophet was told that he could not use wood, or coal to bake the cakes upon, but that heshould use "dung that cometh out of a man." To Ezekiel it was too repulsive, and he pleaded to beexcused. The Lord made an allowance, not by compulsion, but for Ezekiel's sake only, by tellingEzekiel to bake it with "cow's dung." The 13th verse gives an explanation of the symbol as follows:"And the Lord said, 'Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles'." The symbol is: Every portion of truth that has come so far, has been polluted, including the last one(Sabbath), notwithstanding all the instructions given us, line upon line, and precept upon precept. The picture tells the story; symbols do not lie. Instead of being offended because we are told of ourfailings, we should only praise God that in His mercy He has made a call for reformation, that we maynot be left to perish in our sins, but are given an opportunity to choose whom we will serve.

The question may be asked, How have we polluted God's truth? Only one of the many referenceswill be quoted here. Volume 1, pages 471, 472: "A great mistake has been made by some whoprofess present truth, by introducing merchandise in the course of a series of meetings,...Ministershave stood in the desk and preached a most solemn discourse, and then by introducing merchandise,and acting the part of a salesman, even in the house of God....The

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burden of selling our publications should not rest upon ministers who labor in word and doctrine." Volume 8, page 250: "I saw our Instructor [Christ] pointing to the garments of so-calledrighteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then He said to me: 'Can younot see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character? "Howis the faithful city become an harlot?" My Father's House is made a house of merchandise, a placewhence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strengthis lacking'." Thus we have the proof that every truth thus far has been polluted, including theSabbath.

The 40 Days And What Transpire Within

Thus far, the 390 years have been explained, and we shall now consider the 40 days,--or years. After Ezekiel had accomplished the 390 days, he was told to turn now to his right side and lie on it40 days. Unlike the 390 days, he is not to eat anything, but fast the entire forty days, and during thisperiod of time he must lie on his right side. As we have explained before, if one should lie on his leftside the stomach can not empty itself; but now he must lie on his right side. This position would givehis stomach a chance to empty itself. Naturally, if the stomach would empty and could not take otherfood, he would become hungry (symbol of spiritual hunger).

The symbol is, that the church has been on a spiritual decline for forty years, and has had no newspiritual food to feed upon. Some may say, "We have the Bible and the Testimonies and we feed onthem." It is true we have had them, but they have been closed to us, for we did not make proper useof the truth we have had, and it is a fact that the church has had no new light upon scriptures thatwere not understood forty years ago.

The forty-year period began in 1890, according to the chart on pages 112-113, at which time the390 years ended. The time has about elapsed, and now we must have food or else we shall die, andGod in

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His mercy has remembered His people and is sending them an invitation to draw near for anothergood feast.

Would you, brethren draw near for the great supper? Or will you make an excuse? Will you say,"I have brought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused." Orwill your answer be, "I have bought five yoke of oxen and I go to prove them." Or will it be that youhave "married a wife and therefore I cannot come." Remember that "the poor, and the maimed, andthe halt, and the blind": From the "highways and hedges" will not hesitate; the house will be filled. "For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper." See Luke14:16-24.

Seven--Perfect Number

In this prophecy we find there are only six portions, and only six steps have been made. Luther,Knox, Wesley, Campbell, Miller and White. The number "six" is not a perfect number. It is evidentthen, that there is still another portion to follow, and a step to climb. "Seven" is the perfect, Biblicalnumber. The question is, Why was not the seventh portion included in this prophecy? Because thesix were polluted; defiled with man's preparation, man's thoughts, and plans have been injected andfollowed, which, in God's sight are as "dung." It is not to be so with the seventh, for it is the last; itmust be pure. This last portion, pure and undefiled, is represented by the angel of Rev. 18:1, "Andafter these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earthwas lightened with his glory." It is at this time that Isaiah's prophecy will be fulfilled. Isa. 52:1, 2:"Awake, awake: put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the HolyCity: For henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shakethyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: Loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, Ocaptive daughter of Zion [God's pure church]."

Note the last part of the first verse: "For henceforth there shall

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no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean." There has always been in the churchthe uncircumcised, the unclean, and unconverted, in all her history, but here the prophet declaresthere shall be "no more". Let us give thanks to our God for this precious promise, and for therevelation of His Word. Zephaniah also declares, "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, norspeak lies, neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: For they shall feed and lie downand none shall make them afraid." In Prophets and Kings, page 725, we read: "Clad in the armor ofChrist's righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. 'Fair as the moon, clear as thesun, and terrible as an army with banners', she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and toconquer."

It could be explained that this brings us to the opening of the seventh seal of Rev. 8:1. The churchon the seventh step, under the seventh seal, and in the seventh trumpet. By this we know we are onthe borders of Eternity. Would the lips of any of us utter the words, "The harvest is past, the summeris ended, and we are not saved?" But how shall we attain this perfection? It will not be easy. Unlesswe make an effort we shall never reach the mark, for the enemy is not leaving one string loose. Hehas interfered all the way, in every step, and every part of the truth, and his plans are stronger nowthan ever before. Nevertheless, prophecy has declared that the 144,000 have not bowed a knee toBaal, "and in their mouth was found no guile: For they are without fault before the throne of God." At the present time the denomination employs about 10,000 evangelical workers, but what will it bewhen 144,000 without guile, spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, filled with the Spirit of God, compassthe globe? Such is the beginning of the seventh step. No wonder the prophet declared, "theuncircumcised and the unclean shall no more come into thee". "And I shall make her a strongnation." Micah 4:7.

While the prophecy of the 430 years finds its beginning with the Reformation by Luther, and others,the lesson is for this time, and the

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people at this age. Never before has this prophecy been understood, and until now no one everreceived much from it, but when the time is fulfilled, God makes it known. Thus has He led Hispeople on and on. The verses not commented on will be considered now.

The Siege

"Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and portray upon it the city, evenJerusalem." Ezek. 4:1. The Hebrew translation reads: "Engrave" upon it a city; namely "Jerusalem,"(the city: A symbol of the church membership). Ezekiel was told to engrave a city, and call itJerusalem, and it must be engraved upon a tile. Paper or skin would not do, for it would not be asdurable as tile. If it is engraved on a tile it cannot be erased. The thought is that the prophecy willsurely come to pass, and after it once becomes history, one cannot erase the things portrayed; it isthere to stay through all ages. (The tile mentioned here is not manufactured. It is a natural luminartile, and quarried in large, self-separated slabs which in certain sections of that country is found in agreat abundance. It is being largely or exclusively used for roofing and flooring.)

Ezek. 4:2: "And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it, set thecamp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about." "Lay siege against it": That is,invade the city (the church) by an army to compel its surrender; endeavor to obtain possession of thecity,--the church. "And build a fort against it": A fort around a city makes it secure, so "build a fortagainst it" means to make sure that none escape. "And cast a mount": the word "mount" in the Greektranslation is rendered (Proho'mata), meaning "ramparts", which is an embankment surrounding afort, thus making every effort and precaution to secure the city. "Set the camp also against it": Thatis, make temporary lodging places. The thought is,--make preparation to remain there until you haveconquered the city. "And set battering rams against it round about": Or, as in margin, "chief leaders":Meaning an instrument

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with which to blow or strike. "Ram" is a male sheep, which is used as a symbol of God's men, andthey are to batter around about until the city is taken. The instrument which they batter with is aclear, cutting, and convincing Bible Truth.

The "city" (Jerusalem) is God's church; namely, the Seventh-day Adventists (Israel). God Himselforganized this church by a prophet, and there is a great deal of difference between this church, andthe churches during the Reformation from Luther's time onward. God permitted His people to bevoted out of the church by the majority in times past, and they were compelled to start anothermovement until the next step they were to make, and so on. In this case, God is to deal with theentire body. Those who sigh and cry for the abominations that are done in the church will be sealedby the man with the writer's inkhorn. Those who are determined to do evil, that is, do contrary tothe rules laid down by the Spirit of God through the Testimonies for the church will be destroyed bythe five men with the slaughter weapons of Ezekiel 9. None can escape, for the city is besiegedfortified, and made sure. It is a fact, that in every age where God demonstrated His truth and purposein clear lines, after being rejected, that people suffered the vengeance of the all-powerful and greatGod. For instance, the anti-diluvians, cities of Sodom, Egypt, Canaanites, Babylon, and ancientJerusalem.

Separation In Principle

"Moreover take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city:and set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This shall bea sign to the house of Israel." Ezek. 4:3. "Take thou an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron betweenthee and the city [church]": A symbol of an impregnable separation between the two classes. Thisdoes not mean that they do not see, or speak to one another, but a separation in principle, rule, orguide. "And set thy face against it": As a general of armies sets his face against another nation, withintent to conquer. "This shall be a sign to the house of Israel": The sign

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is to those who are marked or sealed; namely, the 144,000, for they are Israel, The True.

Time Of Spiritual Hunger

"Moreover He said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break his staff of bread in Jerusalem: Andthey shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and withastonishment; That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consumeaway for their iniquity." Ezek. 4:16, 17. The 13th verse applies to the time of the 390 years; Ezek.4:16, 17, to the time of the forty years. The beginning of the 16th verse shows that there is a breakin the prophecy, for we read: "Moreover He said unto me", that is, besides, or furthermore. "I willbreak the staff of bread in Jerusalem" (I will cut down, or set it on the decrease). "That they shall eatbread by weight and with care, and drink water by measure and with astonishment": That is,sparingly, until their supply of bread is exhausted, and they become hungry. "Astonied"(astonishment): That is, we would say that we have the truth, or are God's people, but we do notunderstand why thus and so; power is lacking, and there is something wrong.

The 17th verse is the fulfillment of the prophecy contained in Ezek. 4:16. The Douay versionseems to make it clearer from which Ezek. 4:17, is here quoted: "So that when bread and water failevery man may fall against his brother, and they may pine away in their iniquity." The beginning ofthe verse in the Greek, and Bulgarian are the same with the exception that the word "people" is usedinstead of "brother". The Hebrew translation renders: "In order that they may want bread and water,and be confounded one with the other and pine away for their iniquity." "So that when bread andwater fail every man may fall" (Douay): That is, in the time of the forty-year period, they will exhausttheir supply of bread, and water (spiritual) and become real hungry so that they may discover theirmistake. Quoting Testimonies to Ministers, page 419: "God requires certain things of His people;if they say, I will not give up

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my heart to do this thing, the Lord lets them go on in their supposed wise judgment without heavenlywisdom, until this scripture (Isa. 28:13) is fulfilled. You are not to say, I will follow the Lord'sguidance up to a certain point that is in harmony with my judgment, and then hold fast to your ownideas, refusing to be molded after the Lord's similitude. Let the question be asked, Is this the will ofthe Lord? Not, Is this the opinion or judgment of ________?" "But the word of the Lord was untothem precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and therea little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken." Isa. 28:13.

Testimonies to Ministers, pages 105-107: "We are not to think, as did the Jews, that our own ideasand opinions are infallible; nor with the papists, that certain individuals are the sole guardians of truthand knowledge, that men have no right to search the Scriptures for themselves, but must accept theexplanations given by the Fathers of the church....Those who allow prejudice to bar the mind againstthe reception of truth can not receive the divine enlightenment. Yet, when a view of Scripture ispresented, many do not ask, Is it true,--in harmony with God's word? but, By whom is it advocated? and unless it comes through the very channel that pleases them, they do not accept it. So thoroughlysatisfied are they with their own ideas, that they will not examine the Scripture evidence, with a desireto learn, but refuse to be interested, merely because of their prejudices.

"The Lord often works where we least expect Him; He surprises us by revealing His power throughinstruments of His own choice, while He passes by the men to whom we have looked as thosethrough whom light should come. God desires us to receive the truth upon its own merits,--becauseit is truth....But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people has beenthat of depending upon men, and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit ofsearching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence, have confidence in the leading men, andaccept the decision

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they make; and thus many will reject the very messages God sends to His people, if these leadingbrethren do not accept them.

"No one should claim that he has all the light there is for God's people. The Lord will not toleratethis. He has said, 'I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.' Even if all our leadingmen should refuse light and truth, that door will still remain open. The Lord will raise up men whowill give the people the message for this time....Suppose a brother held a view that differed fromyours, and he should come to you, proposing that you sit down with him and make an investigationof that point in the Scriptures; should you rise up, filled with prejudice, and condemn his ideas, whilerefusing to give him a candid hearing? The only right way would be to sit down as Christians, andinvestigate the position presented, in the light of God's word, which will reveal truth and unmaskerror. To ridicule his ideas would not weaken his position in the least if it were false, or strengthenyour position if it were true. If the pillars of our faith will not stand the test of investigation, it is timethat we knew it. There must be no spirit of Pharisaism cherished among us." Though one maystubbornly dispute the direct application of the scriptures quoted here, certainly none would questionthe lesson taught in this publication and yet claim to be in harmony with the movement.

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[Chart of Ezekiel Four]PICTURE

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[Chart of Ezekiel Four]PICTURE

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SECTION VI.

Synopsis Of Isaiah, Chapters 54-66 Inclusive

This call for reformation as set forth here is the direct result of the study of the thirteen chaptersin the book of Isaiah, as devised by the Seventh-day Adventist denomination and presented to thechurches in the entire organization throughout the world. These lessons were taught in the SabbathSchool department during January, February, and March of the year 1929, and beginning with the54th chapter, ended with the 66th. We believe the hand of God was leading, and that these particularlessons came at an appointed time by divine direction, with intention to arouse His people to actionfrom the lukewarm Laodicean condition, and spiritual feebleness.

In Volume 3, page 492, we read: "General Conference, which is the highest authority that God hasupon earth." ("General Conference" spoken of here is not one man's opinion, but a GeneralConference of brethren assembled from all parts of the field, as described in Gospel Workers, page489: "But when, in a General Conference, the judgment of brethren assembled from an parts of thefield is exercised. Private independence and private judgment must not be stubbornly maintained butsurrender"). For this reason, God honored the General Conference, and sent the lessons through thatchannel, with the intention to bring forth a reformation in the entire denomination in one singlequarter of Sabbath School studies.

These thirteen chapters of Isaiah are one continuous letter written for the church. Though theyhave been in the Bible for many centuries, they were intended for us at this present time, and standas a direct epistle to the church now. The 54th chapter is the beginning of the letter, and it ends withthe 66th. The following reasons are given for believing thus.

Isaiah 54--Beginning Of Letter "The God Of Comfort"

"Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing,

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and aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: For more are the children of the desolate than thechildren of the married wife, saith the Lord." Isa. 54:1. Chapter four of Galatians says the womanspoken of here, the "barren," "She who travailed not with child," "desolate," is Sarah. The other,called the married wife, is Agar. Sarah is desolate, because she stepped aside and gave her husbandto Agar thus Agar is the married wife. Sarah was barren, without child, while Agar had Ishmael.

"For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not:For the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband." Gal. 4:27. Gal. 4:25, saysAgar represents the Old Testament church or Jerusalem in Palestine. "For this Agar is Mount Sinaiin Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children." "ButJerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. So then, brethren, we are not childrenof the bondwoman but of the free. "Gal. 4:26, 31. Thus Sarah (the free) is the symbol of Jerusalem which is above, or the church of the New Testament.

Ishmael represents the children of the Old Testament church, but Isaac, the children of the NewTestament (Christian) church. "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was are the children of promise. But asthen he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now."Gal. 4:28, 29. As Abraham did cast out the bondwoman (Agar) and her son (Ishmael), just so Goddid cast out the Old Testament church, or Jerusalem which now is. Gal. 4:30: "Nevertheless whatsaith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: For the son of the bondwoman shall notbe heir with the son of the freewoman." The Scripture makes the subject too plain to bemisunderstood. Sarah is the symbol of the Christian church, and Agar, of the Jewish church.

Turning to the 54th chapter of Isaiah, it will be noticed that this chapter is addressed to the barren,childless, desolate woman,--Sarah, who is the symbol of the Christian church. The Spirit ofProphecy,

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commenting on this chapter, says the prophecy is for the gospel church at this time. We read inProphets and Kings, pages 374, 375: "Looking on still farther through the ages, the prophet beheldthe literal fulfillment of these glorious promises. He saw the bearers of the glad tidings of salvationgoing to the ends of the earth, to every kindred and people. He heard the Lord saying of the gospelchurch, 'Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowingstream;' and he heard the commission: 'Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth thecurtains of thine habitations: Spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shaltbreak forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles.' Jehovah declaredto the prophet that He would send His witnesses 'into the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, Lud,...to Tubal,and Javan, to the isles afar off.' The prophet heard the voice of God calling His church to herappointed work, that the way might be prepared for the ushering in of His everlasting kingdom."

The prophecy could not have been for the early part of the Christian church, for we read in Isa.54:17 "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise againstthee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and theirrighteousness is of me, saith the Lord." "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper": If thisscripture had a reference to the early part of the church, or prior to the dark ages, then God wouldhave failed to carry out His promise. Note that from the beginning of the Christian church the stones,swords, crosses, ropes, fires, and many other cruel instruments which were formed against the churchdid prosper, and continued to prosper up till about the middle of the 18th century, therefore theprophet could have had no reference to the early part of the church. The following quotation willprove the time to which the scripture applies: "Whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fallfor thy sake....'No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall riseagainst thee in judgment thou shalt

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condemn.'...Clad in the armor of Christ's righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. 'Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.'...The darkest hour of thechurch's struggle with the powers of evil, is that which immediately precedes the day of her finaldeliverance. But none who trust in God need fear; for 'when the blast of the terrible ones is as astorm against the wall,' God will be to His church 'a refuge from the storm'." Prophets and Kings,page 725.

Again we read in Early Writings, pages 284, 285: "As the saints left the cities and villages, theywere pursued by the wicked, who sought to slay them. But the swords that were raised to kill God'speople broke and fell as powerless as a straw. Angels of God shielded the saints. As they cried dayand night for deliverance, their cry came up before the Lord." Thus we have proof that the chapterwas written for the people of God who shall live at the time of the end. The intention in this articleis not to explain all the chapter contains, but to point out the time it was intended for, with a fewinstructive remarks. In another study we may take all these chapters separate of each other, verseby verse.

In Isa. 54:14, 15, there is great encouragement for the people of God, and it ought to strengthenour faith. "In righteousness shalt thou be established: Thou shalt be far from oppression; for...theyshall surely gather together, but not by me: Whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall forthy sake." The time of the fulfillment of these verses is well portrayed in Early Writings, pages 282,283: "I saw the saints leaving the cities and villages, and associating together in companies and livingin the most solitary places. Angels provided them food and water, while the wicked were sufferingfrom hunger and thirst. Then I saw the leading men of the earth consulting together, and Satan andhis angels busy around them. I saw a writing, copies of which were scattered in different parts of theland, giving orders that unless the saints should yield their peculiar faith, give up the Sabbath, andobserve the first day of the week, the people were at liberty after a certain time, to put them to

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death....but angels in the form of men of war fought for them. Satan wished to have the privilege ofdestroying the saints of the Most High; but Jesus bade His angels watch over them....Next came themultitude of the angry wicked, and next a mass of evil angels, hurrying on the wicked to slay thesaints. But before they could approach God's people, the wicked must first pass this company ofmighty, holy angels. This was impossible. The angels of God were causing them to recede, and alsocausing the evil angels who were pressing around them to fall bank."

Isa. 54:11, 12, contain another wonderful promise, and show the purity and holiness of God'speople. "O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones withfair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thygates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones." This scripture could hardly refer to theNew Jerusalem,--the Holy City, for there is no reference made of the walls of the city havingwindows, nor could there be any necessity for them, for twelve gates only are mentioned. Furthermore, the gates are made of one great pearl, and not of carbuncles. ("And the twelve gateswere twelve pearls: Every several gate was of one Pearl." Rev. 21:21.) The verses being consideredat this time refer to a spiritual house of which Solomon's temple was a symbol. This spiritual houseis referred to by Paul in Eph. 2:20-22 "and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed togethergroweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation ofGod through the Spirit."

Note that this spiritual house has foundations, windows, gates, and borders (enclosures). Thefoundations refer to the apostles, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone. See Eph. 2:20. The windows of a house are used to give light. This has reference to the prophets who foresee thingsin advance and give the light upon the subject as in 1 Sam. 9:9, ("Beforetime in Israel, when a man

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went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: For he that is now called aProphet was beforetime called a seer.") The "gates" of a house serve the purpose to let in those whohave the right, and to keep out all others. This could have no other meaning than the watchmen onthe walls of Zion (the ministry). The "borders" (or enclosures) mean the church members the "livelystones." 1 Pet. 2:5, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, tooffer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."

Note the kind and quality of material used here in this spiritual house. It is the most preciousknown to humanity--"I will lay thy stones with fair colors" (Isa. 54:11). Foundations of sapphires,windows of agates, gates of carbuncles, and borders of pleasant stones. Think of Jesus as theprecious corner stone; the apostles, who sacrificed their lives, as the wonderful foundations; theprophets (many of whom were killed by cruelty, even to the extent of being sawed between two logs),as the windows to give light to this beautiful house; and those in the church during he dark ages, whosuffered and were tortured by the cruel persecutors, to beautify the borders of this most glorious,spiritual house.

Let each one ask himself, Am I fitted to be used in this spiritual structure whose stones are of faircolors? Am I willing to trust in God, and suffer for Him, whatever He may permit for my good? Ordo I want the world, and heaven, too? Can we serve God and Mammon? Can we in any waydisregard the instructions given to us by the Spirit of God, and expect to be fitted among those whowould rather die, than disobey in the smallest of His commands? How fearful the thought. Can thechurch supplant the instructions of God with wise plans of men?

God Calls To Return--The Word That Transforms Isaiah 55

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, andeat; yea, come, buy wine and

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milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which isgood, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." Isa. 55:1, 2. The word "Ho" signifies "whosoever,or "anyone that will hear". It was not so in the Old Testament time, for the Jew then thought theBible was for the descendants of Abraham only.

"Come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money." Water is the most essential article to sustainlife; both human, animal, and vegetable. It is the most abundant substance, and without it life isimpossible. In this verse it is meant to represent spiritual life, which is bounded by Eternity. Jesus,speaking to the woman at the well, said, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shallnever thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up intoeverlasting life." John 4:14.

Water is composed of two elements; namely, oxygen and hydrogen. Without hydrogen life cannotexist, and without oxygen, life would cease in less than fifteen minutes. Water is never sold; it is free. The price we pay in the cities is not for the water, but for the service rendered in bringing thisnecessity to us for daily use. Neither is it for sale in the Scriptures, but is offered free. No price canbe set for life eternal. If it was sold, no one could buy it, therefore the symbol used here is perfect. It would be impossible to substitute any other earthly articles to represent spiritual life.

Wine

"Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Though the water is free, thewine and he milk are sold, but there is no set price on it, nor is the exchange made with money. Something must be given in trade to make the transaction. What must it be? The answer is foundin the seventh verse, as follows: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man histhoughts: And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, forhe will abundantly pardon." We

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must forsake our ways and our thoughts, and in exchange, take God's thoughts and follow His ways. Isa. 55:8: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." Not until after this transaction is made can one please, serve, or understand God, nor can he enterheaven. When this transaction is made, the thoughts, ways, desires, actions, and the whole humanbeing is changed. How do we get God's thoughts? Only in one way may they be attained. God'sthoughts and ways are found in His Word (the Bible). The man who will follow the completeinstructions by the Spirit of God is in a heavenly atmosphere, and walks with God as Enoch of old.

What is the wine and the milk? We shall first speak of the wine. While the water is rich in oxygen,the wine is rich in iron. With the absence of iron in the system, oxygen, would be of no essentialvalue to the human body, for iron is the train by which oxygen is transported throughout the humananatomy. As soon as oxygen enters into the lungs, the agency of iron takes the element and carriesit through the entire system. Thus, whatsoever the wine represents, without it, the water (life) wouldbe of no importance, as well as the water without the wine (as symbol) would be altogether useless. The wine represents the blood of Christ. Therefore, the wine is used in connection with the Lord'ssupper; a symbol of the spilled blood of Christ. If you must have life eternal (water), you must alsohave the blood of Christ (the wine) for one would be of no value without the other. Again we seethat no other earthly article, substance, or element could be used to represent the blood of Christ.

The Milk

The next symbol mentioned is the milk, and it, too, must be perfect in itself in order to point outthe truth intended by the Spirit of God. The human body is made up of sixteen different elements. If we should exhaust our supply of one of these elements, and life did not cease immediately(depending on the element lacking), there would be trouble somewhere within the human system. If milk contained

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all the elements required to keep the human body, the meaning of the symbol would indicate that thefirst two symbols, or doctrines are of no great importance. Since milk does not contain all thenecessary elements, it signifies that the doctrine represented by the milk only is not sufficient. (Theelement of iron is absent from milk. Though a trace of iron is found in the milk, it is so infinitesimalthat it may be expressed in the following language: "The amount or iron found in ten gallon of milkcould be put in the corner of one's eye.") That which is not found in the milk is supplied by the wine. Therefore the three doctrine taught here cannot be separated one from the other.

What is the doctrine taught by the milk? This symbol is simple to understand. The milk representsthe Word of God as found in the Bible. 1 Pet. 2:2, "As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of theword, that ye may grow thereby." God's Word is perfect and it will supply all the doctrines(elements) needed for the human heart to make us perfect, but without the shedding of the blood ofChrist, it would not profit us at all. Neither would the Word and the blood help us much if there wasno life in the Son of God. Thus, the water, wine, and milk are combined, and can not be separatedone from another and still maintain life eternal. Perfect symbols are they not?

Suppose you would add an element to the milk, would it not be a strange one? And if it be astrange one to the milk, would it be foreign to the human system? If this be true, we must concludeit would be poison to the human body. "But," you say, "suppose I add the element of iron, it wouldnot then be poison." By adding another element, it would put the milk out of balance, and it wouldbe milk no longer. It is impossible for human wisdom to improve on God's work. Just so, it isimpossible for us to neglect one of God's words and yet maintain spiritual life, neither can we add,though the thing may be good, as we may see it. It would throw the Word out of balance, and itwould be God's Word no longer, just as the milk would be milk no longer. God's Word must be keptin the human

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heart, pure and adulterated, if we must live by it. "This robe, woven in the loom of heaven has in itnot one thread of human devising."--Christ's Object Lessons, page 311.

(One may say, if milk is not a balanced diet, how then can a babe be raised on milk and yet beperfectly healthy? God, who made the milk, knew what the baby requires for its growth, and whatthe milk could supply, so He has made provision before the babe is born. Between the stomach andthe small intestine, in that part of the bowel is found a large "lump." This "lump" is placed there tosupply the iron. The opening to the small intestine, as well as to the stomach, is too small for the"lump" to pass through. Thus it is compelled to remain there. Each time nourishment passes by, itabsorbs part of the iron; thus the element is supplied, and the babe has suffered no lack. As the babygrows older, the "lump" gradually decreases in size. Just as it is with the human babe, so it is withthe animal life.) Truly our God is infallible and who can comprehend His wisdom?

Why Spend Money For That Which Is Not Bread?

"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that whichsatisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delightitself in fatness." Isa. 55:2. When we spend our money for food which does not contain all therequired elements, or if it is of an unbalanced proportion, then it is not as the Creator made it. In sucha case we have spent our money for that which is not "bread."

When buying food we must be very careful in our selection and make sure that it is free fromadulteration, or disjunctive manufacturing Processes. In such foods the elements required to sustainphysical health are not found. It would be only a waste of money in buying such foods. The worstharm done by the use of these baser products is not to one's pocketbook only, but to his health inreducing his physical powers. The upkeep of the human body depends on the food supply we giveit.

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Blessings To Jew And Gentile--Blind Watchmen Isaiah 56

In the beginning of this chapter God asks His people, "keep ye judgment and do justice". Thereason given is that His salvation is near to come, and His righteousness to be revealed. The thoughtis that the scroll is soon to make a turn, and the present order of things must change. If the watchmento whom God is speaking would not commence a general housecleaning, God would have to getwatchmen who would lift their voice like a trumpet and show His "people their transgression, and thehouse of Jacob their sins." God, in this chapter, asks His people for a strict Sabbath observance,regardless who they are, without distinction of class, race, or people. Thus they shall have thepromise of His covenant, and their offerings, and sacrifices shall be accepted upon His altar.

There is a severe charge against His watchmen of their failure to deal with the sins in the churchand the result is that His people are devoured by the enemy. "His watchmen are blind: They are allignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark." Isa. 56:10. The phase "dumb dogs" is not tohumiliate them, but is used here as a symbol. Of all animals a dog is man's best friend, and it is a dog'sbusiness to protect his master, or warn him of the danger by the sound of his barking. But if that dogbecomes dumb and fails to give the sound, then he is not only useless to his master but dangerous,for he can not be depended upon. Thus, a "dog" is a perfect symbol of a watchman over God'speople.

A good faithful minister is man's best friend by warning him of the danger involved in sin, but if thatminister will not sound the alarm and give the warning, then he has become as a "dumb dog." Notonly useless but dangerous, for thus the sheep are devoured by the enemy. The watchmen are notonly charged with failure to deal properly with existing sins in the church, but they are greedy as well. "Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink." Isa. 56:12. Thisrefers to the same watchmen or servants as in Matt. 24:48-50, who are gluttonous, disregard health

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reform, and do not see the danger. Read "Isaiah the Gospel Prophet," page 25, first paragraph. Thewatchmen mentioned by the prophet are not those in Babylon (popular churches), but "Hiswatchmen" in His true church. According to Testimonies to Ministers, page 445, Ezekiel 9 is thesealing of the 144,000. Speaking of Ezekiel's prophecy in Volume 5, page 211, we read: "The ancientmen, those to whom God had given great light, and who had stood as guardians of the spiritualinterests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not lookfor miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say, The Lord will not do good, neither will he doevil. He is too merciful to visit his people in judgment. Thus peace and safety is the cry from menwho will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions andthe house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs, that would not bark, are the ones who feel the justvengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children, all perish together."

The Righteous And The Wicked In The Day Of Trouble Isaiah 57

The entire 57th chapter deals with idolatry in God's church. God's people were called to come outof Babylon. The reason why we are called out is that we are to depart from the customs of Babylon. This chapter reveals the truth. Though we came out, we brought the customs and idolatry into thehouse of God. The evil spoken of in this chapter is Christmas-keeping and Christmas gifts one toanother. The 9th verse says, we have honored the king (the devil) by doing this, and "debase"ourselves "even unto hell." This surely is true. We as a people spend the Lord's money in telling thepublic that Christmas is not the birthday of Christ, and then turn about and do the same thing theworld is doing. By such methods we are implicated in the highest form of hypocrisy.

Isa. 57:4, 5, and 6, tell of the evil practices of Israel of old, and

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are written in this chapter to make a comparison with the people now, in as much as to say we aredoing the same as they back there, and are no better. Quoting Volume 1, page 129: "I saw that manywho profess to believe the truth for these last days, think it strange that the children of Israelmurmured as they journeyed; that after the wonderful dealings of God with them, they should be soungrateful as to forget what He had done for them. Said the angel, 'Ye have done worse than they'." To explain the entire chapter, it must be taken verse by verse, but being too lengthy, it can not bedone at this present time.

True Fasting--The Sabbath Restored Isaiah 58

Isa. 58:1--"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew My people theirtransgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." God asks His watchmen to cry aloud and not toleave one thing undone; to life up their voices like a trumpet, and fear not how far the sound mayreach; to show the transgressions and sins to His people, by a general housecleaning, "for Hissalvation is near to come, and His righteousness to be revealed". Quoting Testimonies to Ministers,page 427, we read: "Cleanse the camp of this moral corruption, if it takes the highest men in thehighest positions. God will not be trifled with."

The second verse describes the people to whom He wishes to speak. The first part of the thirdverse tells of the complaints His people are making. "We have fasted" "and have afflicted our souls,but our prayers are not heard." He takes no knowledge of them, is their cry. The last part of theverse tells where the trouble lies: "Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all yourlabors." This fast cannot be a fast for food, for when one is fasting of food he is permitted to findpleasure, and exact all his labor. In fact, one must go about his daily duties as usual, so that he wouldshow no outward appearance of fasting. Our Saviour requires that this duty be performed insincerity, and not in hypocrisy, for the glory of God, and not for attraction and appearance to men.

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Jesus said, "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: For theydisfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have theirreward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not untomen to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall rewardthee openly." Matt. 6:16-18.

Turning back to Isaiah 58, verse 13, tells the kind of fast this is. "If thou turn away thy foot fromthe Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of theLord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, norspeaking thine own words." Therefore, the fast mentioned here is not a fasting of food, but ofpleasure, labor and our own ways and thoughts, and that we must honor God and keep His Sabbathholy. The charge is, that we exact all our labor on the Sabbath day. As a people we have forgottenthe true meaning of Sabbath keeping. We have come to suppose that anything which pertains moreof less to religion is permissible on God's holy day. It is said, It is the Lord's work. But God hasnever said anywhere in the Scriptures that His people are at liberty to do all manners of work (thatpertain to religion) on the Sabbath day. Work which can be done on a day other than the Sabbathis not a work for the Sabbath. "Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work: But the seventh dayis the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: In it thou shalt not do any work."

Note the way the commandment reads: "Any work." God does not mean that we can do our workin the six days, and His on the Sabbath. He says it is a day of rest: Not physical, but spiritual rest. For instance, it would be wrong for one to sell good religious books on the Sabbath, even if he turnedall the proceeds to the church. It would be wrong for a surgeon to perform surgical operations onpatients on the Sabbath day if it can be done at another time. It would be wrong for a nurse to givetreatments to patients on the Sabbath day if it was not absolutely necessary. Read Volume 7, page

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106. It would be wrong for a church council to meet on the Sabbath and discuss church business,or make plans of any kind. It would be wrong for a Sabbath keeper to load himself with evangelicalannouncements for a series of meetings, and distribute them from house to house on the Sabbath day. All this manner of work could be done on a day other than the Sabbath.

When we do this kind of work on the Sabbath, we do it to save ourselves an hour or so of time forthe next day, thus we rob God of His time and add it to our secular pleasure. If it is wrong for oneto go and sell good religious books on the Sabbath, though he turns all the proceeds to the Church,it would be doubly wrong to sell that same book in the house of God on the Sabbath day, regardlessof what is done with the income. If all of this is true, then it would be wrong to go out with HarvestIngathering papers and receive contributions for missions on the Sabbath. It is time for God to callour attention to these things.

Quoting Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 313, 314: "'Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it isholy unto you....Whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.' Directions had just been given for the immediate erection of the tabernacle for the service of God;and now the people might conclude, because the object had in view was the glory of God, and alsobecause of their great need of a place of worship, that they would be justified in working at thebuilding upon the Sabbath. To guard them from this error, the warning was given. Even thesacredness and urgency of that special work for God must not lead them to infringe upon his holy restday."

The balance of chapter 58, teaches that we must take care of our poor and sick, instead of sendingthem to the county farm, or hospital, if we are to delight in the Lord. There are many lessons thatwe can draw from the services of ancient Israel. God gave them the seventh-day Sabbath as a dayof rest for praise and thanksgiving. Though the sacrificial was a sacred, religious service, requiringmuch labor, they were not permitted to do it on the seventh-day Sabbath.

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For this reason God gave them the monthly Sabbaths in which they were to do that sacred work. IfGod did not allow every kind of religious service to be performed on the seventh-day Sabbath then,will He now? "I the Lord change not." Read Lev. 23.

A Redeemer Promised To A Penitent People Isaiah 59

Isa. 59:2-8, tell how terrible and grievous our sins are in God's sight. The first verse contains thewonderful promise: "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his earheavy, that it cannot hear." If we would repent of our sins and turn to Him with fasting and prayer,He will have mercy upon us, and will hear our prayers. Though our sins are unspeakably great, Isa.59:9-13, are of a good report. Some of the people are conscious and repenting from their sins. InIsa. 59:16-19, is a prophecy too sad to speak of. It applies to those upon whom the responsibilityrested to bring about reformation by presenting the lessons to the church in their true light, callingevery sin by its right name instead of applying it to other people and times, and thereby diverting theinstructions intended for the church. The admonitions in the Scriptures were overlooked andunheeded, and what God expected of His people during the first three months of 1929, was notaccomplished, simply because those in responsible positions failed to discharge their duty.

Isa. 59:16, first part "And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was nointercessor." God "was astonished". Moses and Aaron "stood between the dead and the living."Num. 16:48. God used Elijah on Mount Carmel. 1 Kings 18. In the crisis here brought to view, Godfinds no man (Eze. 22:30), so He Himself interposes.

Isa. 59:16-18 "Therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustainedhim. For he put on righteousness as a breast plate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and heput on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. According to theirdeeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to

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his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence." God clothesHimself with His own attributes, and advances to set things right. Had there been a man, God wouldhave let the man do the work, but as there was none, He does it Himself. This reveals one of God'sworking principles. He will use one man, or a nation, to help correct or punish another. When thatcannot be done, God steps in. While God will come with vengeance to some, He comes withsalvation to others. Isa. 59:20: "And the Redeemer shall come to Zion." This is not referring to thesecond coming of Christ in the clouds, for it takes place before probation closes. He is not comingwith vengeance to the ungodly in the world, but coming to the church. And when He comes, He willdo the work mentioned in Mal. 3:1-3.

Isa. 59:19: "So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising ofthe sun." God will make this coming as an example to the nations, just as He did with Sodom andGomorrah. Isa. 59:19, last part: "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lordshall lift up a standard against him.' John in Rev. 12:15, refers to this incident. "And the serpent castout of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of theflood." The woman here mentioned is God's church (Seventh-day Adventist) "which keep thecommandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." The "flood" is not the blue Sundaylaw, or any persecution in the past. The blue law has a different setting, and is described inRevelation 13, as a persecuting power to enforce the mark of the beast.

"Flood" is the same as "water", which means people (in the church) unconverted, whom Satan isusing to cause the church to be carried away in a very quiet manner, so that no one would besuspicious of the great deception. In this way he attempts to deceive the very elect (144,000) if itwere possible. Being impossible, Christ Himself interposes and delivers His people (those who sighand cry for all the abominations in the church) and then makes an example of the others.

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Rev. 12:16, "And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed upthe flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth." The meaning is that they die, being buried in theearth, as in Num. 16:32, "And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses,and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods." Thus, "the Spirit of the Lord shalllift up a standard against him." Isa. 59:19, last part. This will fulfill Matt. 13:29, 30: "Let both thewheat and the tares grow together until the harvest." The separation will mark the beginning of theharvest, which is the Loud Cry of the third angel's message. Rev. 18:1. The Spirit of God is pouredupon His people (those who escape the ruin), and the promise is, that it shall never depart from them. Isa. 59:21, "As for Me, this is My covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, andMy words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth ofthy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever." Read"Isaiah the Gospel Prophet," Volume 3, pages 43-49.

As soon as the separation is finished, and Satan has lost out with his deceptive scheme, the churchfinds herself in a great conflict with the enemy. Rev. 12:17, "And the dragon was wroth with thewoman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed [those who are left], which keep thecommandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." (The war against the woman is theblue law.)

The Final Triumph Of The Righteous Isaiah 60

This chapter begins with the words "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lordis risen upon thee." The Latter Rain, the Spirit of God, and the glory of His power. The chapter tellsof the ingathering in the time of harvest. A great multitude composed of all nations, and classes ofpeople, rich and poor alike, from all walks of life; kings and rulers among them, and also the wealthof the Gentiles shall come to the church. The nation and

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the kingdom that will not serve them (the church) shall perish. The multitude gathered here are theones with the palms in their hands. Rev. 7:9.

Isa. 60:19, 20, tell of the purity of God's church and His care over His people. Isa. 60:21, says,"Thy people also shall be all righteous." The unclean and unconverted will not be permitted in thechurch. "Awake awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, theholy city: For henceforth there shall no more come unto thee the uncircumcised and the unclean." Isa.52:1. "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue befound in their mouth: For they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid." Zeph. 3:13. Verse 22, of Isaiah 60: mentions their success in winning souls to Christ.

Builders Of The Old Waste Places Isaiah 61

The first verse and part of the second apply to Christ Himself at the beginning of His ministry. TheSpirit of Prophecy says it will repeat itself with the people of God. This would find its fulfillment inthe time of harvest, with the 144,000 (those who escape the ruin of Isaiah 59, and 63), by whoseeffort the great multitude of Rev. 7:9, is made.

Isa. 61:2, "To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God." The acceptable year cannot be a prophetic time, for it would mean 365 years. It must be a literal yearof twelve months. There is good reason for believing that this must be that year in which the lessonscame, and the truth in them made known. Had this not been the prophetic year, the call would nothave come, for God keeps accurate time. To Ninevah, God gave forty days to repent. Now to Hispeople He gives one year to make good, otherwise He would have to spue them out of His mouth,and this applies to those upon whom the responsibility rests. "And unto the angel of the church ofthe Laodiceans write;...I know thy

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works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot. So then because thouart lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Rev. 3:14-16. "The callto this great and solemn work was presented to men of learning and position; had these been little intheir own eyes, and trusted fully in the Lord, he would have honored them with bearing his standardin triumph to the victory. But they separated from God, yielded to the influence of the world, andthe Lord rejected them." Volume 5, page 82.

The day of vengeance in Isa. 61:2, follows the year. The day may be prophetic, which in that case,would mean a literal year. Thus, it would mean a year in each case. This year of vengeance is notthe seven last plagues, nor is it the destruction of the wicked at the second coming of Christ. It takesplace before the close of probation, for in Isa. 61:4 we read: "And they shall build the old wastes, theyshall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of manygenerations." The meaning of this verse is to restore the truth of God which has been trodden downunder foot for many generations. The 144,000--the true Israel of God--are the builders. Thus, wesee that after the day of vengeance, God's truth is to be restored and revealed to the people. Therefore, it must be before the close of probation. The balance of the chapter confirms the samethought.

The "day of vengeance" is the same as in Ezekiel 9; Isaiah 63; and Isaiah 61; as previouslyexplained. Isa. 61:6, meaning the 144,000, says they are priests, as explained on pages 37, 38.

The Holy People--The Lord's Redeemed Isaiah 62

In Volume 3, page 65, of "Isaiah the Gospel Prophet," we read: "I will not rest." God is speaking. He has determined that the righteousness of His people shall become evident, and He will not restuntil it is accomplished. The words indicate not only determination, but also that there has beendelay, that now the crisis has come,

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and that God is tremendously in earnest to see the work finished. God intends to exhibit His peopleto the world. He wants to demonstrate what can be done in human flesh; and He will not restsatisfied until His people reflect His image fully. When that is done, the earth will be lightened withthe glory of God. Rev. 18:1."

Isa. 62:2: "A new name." Indicative of the new experience they have passed through, which is theseparation, or sifting, as explained. God Himself with His own mouth gives the name so it can notbe counterfeited. The time the name is received is at the end of the 430 year period as explained onthe chart on pages 112-113. Thus, the church is reorganized under a new name. The old name, beingpolluted, could no longer be retained. There is no one to go by the old name, for the ones who werenot worthy of having the new name have perished under the figure of the five men with the slaughterweapons of Ezekiel 9. The name only remains for a curse. In Isa. 65:15, we read: "And ye shall leaveyour name for a curse unto My chosen: For the Lord God shall slay thee, and call His servants byanother name." The old order of things being changed. The watchmen who were unfaithful haveperished.

"I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night:ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence." Isa. 62:6. (These are the watchmen under thenew name.) Isa. 62:8 and 9, reveal God's care and protection over His church. In the 10th verse isGod's command to His people: "Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people;cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people." In the 11thverse God says He has proclaimed to the people who shall live at the end of the world: "Behold, theLord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvationcometh; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him."

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Afflicted For His People's Sake Isaiah 63

Isa. 63:1-3, "Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that isglorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness,mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth inthe winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me: For Iwill tread them in mine anger, and trample them in My fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled uponMy garments, and I will stain all My raiment."

The last part of the preceding chapter speaks of "the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord". Thefirst part of this chapter concerns those who have rejected the Lord (those who are to leave the namefor a curse). To them the day of vengeance has come. The picture is not a pleasant one to look at,but it is true. It is God's "strange work." Edom is another name for Esau. See Gen. 25:30. Esauhad his name changed because he sold his birthright for a bowl of pottage. The class here are termedEdom because they have sold their birthright for self-gratification to satisfy lust, the god of appetite(disregard of health reform), as explained on pages 59, 60. "Bozrah" is the name of a city. The namemeans "sheepfold," a symbol of the church.

Isa. 63:4: "For the day of vengeance is in Mine heart, and the year of My redeemed is come." Note,"the day of vengeance" the Lord says is in His "heart", but the "year of His redeemed is come." Notethe verb "come" is in present tense, just as in Rev. 14:7, "Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, andgive glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come." We, as a people, hold that the verb "come"was inscribed in present tense because the judgment in heaven took place (at the end of the 2300 daysof Daniel's prophecy) in 1844, but it was not understood until after the Prophetic period had passed,therefore God did not intend to make the judgment known

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until after the hour had come. For this reason Inspiration inscribed the occurrence in present tense,"is come," in order to be grammatically correct. Thus William Miller made the mistake of the eventto transpire at the end of the 2300 days; namely, the sanctuary truth, Jesus entering the Most Holyplace, and the beginning of judgment.

If the preceding scripture is true, then the one in Isa. 63:4, is just as dependable as any. Thischapter, or the incident recorded in it, has never been understood, therefore God must have preservedthe prophecy for a given time. Now the prophecy is understood and being in present tense, we mustbelieve, then, that "the year of His redeemed is come." If one should disbelieve the interpretationgiven, then he means to say God has made a mistake in inscribing the verb in present tense. This maybe said if not by words, then by action.

His Redeemed

What is meant by "His redeemed"? "For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of myredeemed is come." Isa. 63:4. You are here referred to Ex. 15:13, which is the song that Moses andthe children of Israel sang after being delivered out of Egypt and the Red Sea. "Thou in thy mercyhast led forth the people which thou has redeemed: Thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thyholy habitation." Ex. 15:13. Inspiration uses the same word "redeemed" in the song of deliverance. The experience of Israel being a type of Israel, the true, (the 144,000), and a duplicate of the churchnow, as explained in Section 4 we too, must be redeemed as well as they. For this reason, theprophet used the phrase "the year of my redeemed is come." According to the scripture, this mustbe the year (in which the lessons came--1929), when God began to deliver His people from thecorruptions in the church. This is why they sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Had this not beenthe prophetic year the call would not have come, for God keeps accurate time.

Quoting Ex. 15:14-16, "The people shall hear, and be afraid: Sorrow shall take hold on theinhabitants of Palestina. Then the

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dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; allthe inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness ofthine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O Lord, till the people pass over,which thou hast purchased." The land of Canaan represents the land into which the church at thispresent time came into existence; namely, the United States of America. The name 'Palestina" means"land of strangers". The United States is composed of strangers; people from many nations, andraces. "Dukes of Edom" refers to the same class as those mentioned in Isa. 63:1, as previouslyexplained. The name "Moab" means "progeni," or forefathers.

Quoting Isa. 63:5, "And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was noneto uphold: Therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me." This partof the prophecy has surely met its fulfillment. The lessons came to the church through the properchannel, and were presented by the Sabbath School department, but they were rushed through. Thesins mentioned were applied to other people, no corrections of any kind were made, and the lessonintended was lost. The entire thing is forgotten and no one cares, therefore, "there was none to help." God "wondered that there was none to uphold." We wonder too. The scripture is plain, and in thehelps to the lesson was admitted that the slaughter is in the church before the second coming of Christin the clouds. Read "Isaiah the Gospel Prophet," pages 49, 70-73; also the quarterly of the samelesson. If such a message as this would not arouse the people, then may the question be asked, Whatelse could have done it? Thus heaven "wondered." Indeed, the people have said in their hearts, "TheLord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not: He will do neither good nor evil."

Isa. 63:6: "And I will tread down the people in Mine anger, and make them drunk in My fury, andI will bring down their strength to the earth." A.R.V., "poured out their life blood." Isa. 63:7-9,speak of the Lord's goodness, mercies, and multitude of loving kindnesses.

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"In all their affliction He was afflicted." These verses bring to view the wonderful and blessedthought of God's suffering with His people. Isa. 63:10, draws out a comparison that when we rebelagainst God, He turns to be our enemy. From the 11th verse and onward, including chapter 64, isa prayer of someone of God s children. Seeing the evil approaching, he has poured out his soul toGod in prayer, to save His people Remembering God's dealings with His chosen people and thewonderful deliverance of Israel out of Egypt, the one who offers the prayer evidently understands thesituation.

The experience of Israel in Egypt is a duplicate, and the request is for a man like Moses. Isa.63:11-13: "Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he thatbrought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he that put his holy Spiritwithin him? That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the waterbefore them, to make himself an everlasting name? That led them through the deep, as an horse inthe wilderness, that they should not stumble?"

Isa. 63:16 "Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israelacknowledge us not: thou, O Lord, art our Father, our redeemer; Thy name is from everlasting." Thelanguage used in this verse proves beyond a doubt that the person is not an Israelite (Jew) after theflesh. The people in trouble here are not from the stock of Abraham, "though Abraham be ignorantof us and Israel acknowledge us not". It would have been impossible for the prophet Isaiah, or anyother of his nation to utter the words while they boasted over the fact that they were of Israel, thestock of Abraham, which to them was a great honor.

Isa. 63:17: "O Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thyfear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance." This verse reveals the reason forGod's displeasure with His people: Error; hard-hearted, not fearing God. "Why hast thou made usto err?" This is not a charge against God that He has caused them to sin, but rather a wish that Godmight have used even harsher punishment to bring them back to their senses.

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Isa. 63:18: "The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: Our adversaries havetrodden down thy sanctuary." Their "adversaries": Isa. 59:18 tells that their adversaries are the Lord'sadversaries. They have trodden down the sanctuary with the multitude of merchandise, laughter,whispering, common talking, manicuring, and other forms of idolatry to dishonor God to His face (inHis church). Isa. 63:19: "We are thine: Thou never barest rule over them; they were not called bythy name." They have not followed God's instructions. Though they identify themselves among thepeople of God in His house of prayer, they are not in reality called by His name.

"Isaiah the Gospel Prophet", page 73 (Lessons for Today) commenting on "Verses 1-6," says,"These verses should bring serious thoughts to every soul. There is no more dreadful picture in allthe Bible than this section presents. The figure of God's striding forth to tread the wine press of Hiswrath is an awful one. Yet it is true. Esau had all the opportunity that any one could have to knowright from wrong. He willfully chose wrong, and became a persecutor of the true people of God. We conceive that there are none upon whom God's wrath will be visited more completely than uponthose who have known the truth, are closely related to it, as it were, and yet turn from it to becomepersecutors of those who do right. Even as it is a blessed thing to accept the truth, so it is a fearfulthing to reject it. And rejection need not include all truth. To reject a part may be just as fatal as toreject the whole. So all should beware." Read Volume 5, page 492; volume 8, pages 248-250;Volume 1, page 190; Volume 1, pages 471-472; Volume 5, pages 207-216; Testimonies to Ministers,page 380; Volume 2, page 708; Testimonies to Ministers, pages 206, 407, 408.

A People Prepared For A New Heaven And A New Earth Isaiah 65

Isa. 65:1, "I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: Isaid, Behold me, behold me,

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unto a nation that was not called by my name." The language used in this verse is in the past tense. However, there is a chance for an argument as to whether it be in past or present tense, as it istranslated in the King James' version. The following, which is altogether in past tense, is quoted fromthe Hebrew translation by Isaac Lesser. "I allowed myself to be sought by those that asked not; I letmyself be found by those that sought me not: I said, here am I unto a nation that called itself not bymy name." The Greek, also the Bulgarian are in past tense, but let us quote the same verse which wasquoted by Paul to the Romans, as it is in the King James' version. Rom. 10:20, "But Esaias is verybold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that askednot after me."

Certainly no one can dispute the language used by Paul, for he was well educated in both Hebrewand Latin tongues. Furthermore, Paul made the translation under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,therefore we must believe this scripture as it is translated by him--from the Hebrew to the Greek,--inpast tense. We shall speak of Isa. 65:2, and then come back with the thought. "I have spread out myhands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their ownthoughts." Note that while the first verse is in Past tense, the second is in present. Paul applies thefirst verse to the Gentiles in his time, but the second to Israel,--after the flesh. Here is an opportunityfor concentration of thought upon the subject. Paul is applying the scripture in past tense to presenttime in his day, but the scripture in present tense he applies to a people in the past. The way theapplication was made certainly does not sound grammatically correct, but we cannot say Paul madea mistake. The application and translation must be right, as well as grammatically correct.

The wisdom used in this scripture is amazing, and it should cause us to give glory to our God. Paul, under the Spirit of Inspiration made the application, so as to clear the scripture from theapparent complication. The chapter was not written for Israel, nor for the Gentiles in Paul's day, butdirectly for the church at the present

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time. If this can be proven, we must accept it as present truth direct from God. The scripture beinggrammatically incorrect of the application proves that the time for this chapter was not yet ripe, thesame as other scriptures and prophecies. It could not be understood, nor correctly applied until thetime appointed. Then God reveals His Word to His people in the manner He will choose, but it maycome in an unexpected way.

The first verse rightfully applies to the Gentiles, the second was applied to Israel after the flesh,which is a type of Israel by the promise (144,000, the church at this present time; namely, theSeventh-day Adventist). For this reason, Paul had to apply the scripture to the type, for the true wasnot yet in existence. Now, the time being ripe, the scripture is grammatically correct, the first versein past tense to the Gentiles in Paul's time, the second to the church at this present time, in presenttense. Thus we have the positive proof of the application and the time to which this scripture applies. This should turn our hearts to God, and cause us to search diligently the prophecy contained in thischapter.

Space will not permit to present here all this chapter contains. Only an outline of some of the thingswill be given. The charge against the church is not a pleasant one, but it ought not to discourage anyone of us, for our God is merciful and willing to forgive us of our sins if we would but acknowledgeour guilt. Had it not been so, He would not have sent the message. The last part of Isa. 65:3, isquoted here: "That sacrificeth in gardens and burneth incense upon altars of brick." We mustunderstand that these are symbols but they are not hard to decipher. Had it been impossible to beunderstood, no one could profit by it, therefore the symbol would not have been used in the chapter. "Gardens" are used for a display. "Sacrifice" is the same as gift. "Incense," according to Rev. 8:3,4, is the way prayers are sent to God. Nowhere in the Bible can we read of any of God's peoplebuilding altars of brick. Altars to God were always built with stones.

The difference between brick and stone will now be considered.

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Brick is the product of man, but stone is the workmanship of God. Let us now consider the lessonintended here. "Gardens," display; "Sacrifice," gifts; "Incense," prayers; "Bricks," man-madeproposition. The charge is, we sacrifice for display we offer our prayers to God (upon altars ofbrick); we follow after man instead of God's pure word, as given to the church.

Isa. 65:4: "Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh,and broth of abominable things is in their vessels." "In the graves;" "in the monuments," meaningman-made devices of which there is no resurrection. "Swine's flesh," "broth of abominable things:"Means disregard of health reform; man eats whatever his lustful appetite craves for.

Isa. 65:5: "Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou." While thisclass is not living the truth, yet they think they are better than others, and being so high-minded, bytheir action they say, "we are holier than thou." In the 6th verse, God says, He will "recompense intotheir bosom." By the information already given, the reader can determine the meaning of the seventhverse.

Isa. 65:8: "Thus saith the Lord, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy itnot; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all." "Cluster" is composed of many grapes and is a symbol of the church as a body The Lord says He willnot destroy them all. The "wine" in the cluster represents the blood of Christ, and for this reason, allare not destroyed. The tenth verse speaks of the promise to those who shall escape. The 11th and12th verses speak of the class that shall perish. The slaughter here is the same as that of Ezekiel 9. Quoting Isa. 65:12,--"Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to theslaughter: Because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil beforeMine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not."

Isa. 65:13 and 14, show God's care over His people and the suffering of the other class. Isa. 65:15:"And ye shall leave your name

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for a curse unto My chosen: For the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name." This verse has been previously explained in connection with the 62nd chapter, page 155. The classmentioned here is the same as in Volume 5, page 82: "The call to this great and solemn work waspresented to men of learning and position; had these been little in their own eyes, and trusted fullyin the Lord, he would have honored them with bearing his standard in triumph to the victory. Butthey separated from God, yielded to the influence of the world, and the Lord rejected them."

Isa. 65:16: "That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; andhe that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles areforgotten, and because they are hid from Mine eyes." "Bless himself in the God of truth: Many peoplewill bless themselves, but not in the God of truth. That is, they obtain riches, or some other blessingbut not by honesty. Some "sweareth," but not by the God of truth. That is, they will tell a falsehood,but after God purifies His church all these things shall pass away, and be forgotten.

Isa. 65:17-19, speak of the new earth. Isa. 65:20, is here quoted from the Hebrew translation byIsaac Lesser. "There shall no more thence an infant of few days, nor an old man that shall not havethe full length of his days; for as a lad shall one die a hundred years old; and as a sinner shall beaccursed he who (dieth) at a hundred years old." It seems this translation makes the meaning of theverse just a little plainer than the King James'. The scripture speaks of the time at the end of the 1000years (millennium) after the resurrection of the wicked. At that time there will not be any births toinfants. "There shall no more thence an infant of days." The lesson therefore is not so difficult forone to comprehend. All the wicked are called forth in the second resurrection, whether old or young(at the time of death). All come up at the same time. This hour becomes the birth of all the wickedin the second life. There is to be no natural, or unnatural death, for all must live to the time of thesecond death, which is by "fire come down from God out of heaven and devoured

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them." Read Rev. 20:7-10. "And as a sinner shall be accursed he who (dieth) at an hundred yearsold." This scripture predicts the span of life of the wicked after they are resurrected as being 100years. "For as a lad shall one die a hundred years old; and as a sinner shall be accursed he who (dieth)at a hundred years old." During this 100 year period, the wicked make preparation for their attackon the holy city. Read Rev. 20:8, 9.

Isa. 65:21-25, speak of the saints in the earth made new. Here is another evidence that the chapteris intended for the people at the time of the end, for the closing verses speak of the earth made new.

The Ingathering From The Gentiles: Worship In The New Earth Isaiah 66

Isa. 66:1: "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: Where isthe house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest?" The house mentioned here isa spiritual house as in Eph. 2:20-22, of which Solomon's temple was a symbol. The followingquotation is found in Prophets and Kings, pages 35, 36: "Thus as the building on Mt. Moriah wasnoiselessly upreared with 'stone made ready before it was brought thither: So that there was neitherhammer nor ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building', the beautiful fittingswere perfected according to the patterns committed by David to his son."

The lesson intended here is that the spiritual stones (the members of the church) are to be madeready before they are brought thither. Why, then, are candidates so often granted baptism andmembership in the church without being instructed in all the advent truth? It is surprising to knowthe large number of so-called Seventh-day Adventists who do not believe in the writings of the Spiritof Prophecy, and altogether ignorant of the truth in health reform. Are not these the fundamentalprinciples in the church? Is not health reform the right hand and arm of the third angels

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message? Has not this continual practice drifted the church into the world?

That beautiful temple reveals God's desire for His church. For this reason, God lavished so muchwealth upon this palatial structure upon Mt. Moriah. According to estimates given in the monthlybulletin of the Illinois Society of Architects, it reached the tremendous total of more than eighty-sevenbillion dollars. The several estimates show the total cost to have been $87,212,210,840. This sumrepresents a nation's wealth. The question is, How did Israel ever raise such an enormous sum ofmoney to lavish on one single structure? God never asks us to do anything unless He Himself makesit possible.

The tremendous amount of wealth expended on this magnificent temple represents God's care andlove for His people, as well as the glory of the church. Solomon recognized that this temple was buta symbol of a temple which he was not able to build. In 2 Chron. 2:6, we read: "But who is able tobuild him an house, seeing the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him? Who am I then,that should build Him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?" God asks His people at thispresent time, "Where is the house which ye build unto me?" (Isa. 66:1). Douay version reads: "Thatye will build to me?" The Hebrew translation reads: "A house that ye can build unto me?"

"The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool." This scripture shows the impossibilityfor a human mortal to do anything for God, except He does it through him. How offensive it mustbe to heaven when we say we are to finish God's work in this generation, or attempt to build Him ahouse by the plans of men. We have said it, and have acted like it, but we have failed. Now God asksus "Where is the house that ye will build unto me?" One may say, See this great denomination wehave built. If there is any greatness about it, it is not to man's credit. Though we have boasted muchof our efforts, God lets us go on according to our supposed wise judgment until we fall and discoverour mistake. True, it is a great

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denomination, but God does not see it the way we do. At the rate we are going it would take ushundreds of years to finish the work, and the fact of the matter is, we never can. Furthermore, asgreat a denomination as it is, it is not ready for translation therefore we can ask ourselves, Where isthe house we have built? The thirteenth chapter of Ezekiel is written for the church at this presenttime from which we quote Ezek. 13:5: "Ye have not gone up into the gaps neither made up the hedgefor the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord."

"And where is the place of my rest?" We call ourselves Sabbath keepers and boast much of keepingthe commandments of God, but here we are asked "where is the place of my rest?" We have pollutedGod's holy day, and desecrated the Sabbath with merchandise, as previously explained on Pages147-148. See also page 124. A good minister of God, after being questioned as to the authority inselling our publications on the Sabbath day in the house of God, said, "It is a question just how muchof our publications are to be sold on the Sabbath." The confliction in this minister's mind wasanswered in three short words: "None of it." But this answer did not satisfy the man in the sacredposition, and he added, "Ancient Israel killed the lamb and sacrificed it on the Sabbath. Therefore,we can sell our books." The answer given to this was, "If Israel did sacrifice the lamb on theseventh-day Sabbath they were told to do so, but you are told not to, and that is the difference." Thefact of the matter is that God did not give the seventh-day Sabbath to ancient Israel for sacrifices, butfor a day of rest. Monthly Sabbaths were added for the sacrifices. Read Lev. 23.

In the second verse of Isaiah 66, God tells us that all these things which we boast of, He has madeand they have been, "but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite [penitent]spirit, and trembleth at my word." Isa. 66:3: "He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he thatsacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine'sblood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have

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chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations." The scripture is unmistakablyplain that our sacrifices, offerings, prayers, and whatever form of religion we may have, is not onlyan abomination to Him, but it is most offensive. "Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and theirsoul delighteth in their abominations."

Isa. 66:4: "I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when Icalled, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: But they did evil before mine eyes, andchose that in which I delighted not." God did call for these lessons when they came to the churchthrough the Sabbath School department, but they came and went, and are forgotten. So then,because they have chosen their own ways, and did evil before God, and delighted not in following theinstructions given to the church, now, He says He will choose their delusions, and will bring their fearupon them. It is a fearful thing to turn a deaf ear to the voice of God. While this verse speaks of aclass who are determined to follow their own choice in preference to God's way, the next versespeaks of a class who do fear God and dare serve Him. Thus, it is unmistakably clear that there aretwo classes of people in the church.

Isa. 66:5: "Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you,that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: But he shall appear to your joy,and they shall be ashamed." This verse shows that though the call in the lessons was turned downby those in responsible positions, God's Word never returns void to Him, for the class in this versefear God, and tremble at His Word, and the result is that there is division in the church. The classwho are in opposition to God are either the majority, or, those who have a stronger influence uponthe members of the church, for the verse says they cast out their brethren (the godly class) for Hisname's sake. The class who are casting out God's people think they are doing His service, for thescripture reads: [they] "Said, Let the Lord be glorified."

It is bad enough for one to turn down God's Word, but it is far

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worse when such a one is so blinded, that by turning down the heavenly call, thinks he is doing God'sservice. The verse holds an encouraging promise for the God-fearing ones, for it says, "He shallappear to your joy," and when the Lord fulfills His promise, the oppressors of God shall be ashamed". It has been one of Satan's tricks throughout the history of the church to flood her with his agents, andunconverted, so that when truth comes to the church, as soon as God's people respond to the call,he stands ready to vote them out by the majority of his followers. The result has been that necessitygave birth to a new movement or denomination, but, according to Isa. 66:4 and 6, God is to dealentirely different in this instance. The reason being, because God organized this denominationHimself by a prophet, and has given us special light of present truth. Thus, it leaves us withoutexcuse and God deals accordingly with the people.

Quoting Volume 3, page 265: "But if the sins of the people are passed over by those in responsiblepositions, His frown will be upon them, and the people of God, as a body, will be held responsiblefor those sins. In His dealings with His people in the past, the Lord shows the necessity of purifyingthe church from wrongs." The "voice of noise", the sixth verse, has reference to the class who havechosen their own way in preference to the Lord's way, whom He calls His enemies.

Isa. 66:7 and 8: "Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was deliveredof a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be madeto bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, shebrought forth her children." In these two verses a comparison is made with the church at the firstcoming of Christ (Jewish), and the church just prior to His second coming. "Before shetravailed,...before her pain came." This refers to the church at the time Christ came. She did notexpect Him (travailed not), nor did she feel, or know when He came. Though she was not worthy,"she was delivered of a man child."

The church referred to in the eighth verse is the opposite of the

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one in the seventh verse. The time is ripe for a mighty movement, in which thousands will beconverted in a day. This is the church in the time of the latter rain, the loud cry of the third angel'smessage. The church is become thoroughly in earnest. As soon as there is a real travail for purityof sinners, the work is finished, almost at once. "Shall the earth bring forth in one day? or shall anation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children."

The ninth verse shows that God is the one who does the work. The tenth verse says those who loveher (the church) and mourn for her now, will rejoice and be glad. The eleventh verse shows why theywill rejoice and be delighted: Because of truth and light in God's Word which will come to the churchrepresented by the milk. "That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; thatye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory." Isa. 66:11. Isa. 66:12-14, tellof God's care over His people, and the church's love for her members, the Lord's favor toward Hisservants, and indignation toward His enemies.

Isa. 66:15-17: "For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind,to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will theLord plead with all flesh: And the slain of the Lord shall be many. They that sanctify themselves, andpurify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and theabomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord." The coming of the Lord"with fire....to render His anger with fury," is not the coming of Christ in the clouds to receive Hispeople. It is before the close of probation, and in the time of the purification of the church. See Mal.3:1-3. He comes with vengeance to those who claim His name, but follow man instead of Christ, andthe result is that they do not keep His truth. (The class who do not investigate for themselves butaccept the decisions of others who are following after man, and are in the clutches of the devil.)

"Behind one tree": Margin reads, "one after another." The

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reading here justifies the translation: "Following the leader." That is, people are inclined to followa man in high position instead of searching in the Word for themselves and demand a "thus saith theLord." "In the gardens behind one tree": This phrase also suggests the "tree of knowledge of goodand evil." The partaking of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden brought sin into existence. Thecharge here is similar, only worse. Men have chosen for their food the things God has forbidden, and"spend money for that which is not bread." "By His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh." Thishas no reference to those outside the church, for we read in Isa. 66:19, "And I will set a sign amongthem, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations." Last part: "And they shall declaremy glory among the Gentiles." It is plain here that those who shall escape the ruin, God shall sendto all the nations, and declare His glory to the Gentiles. Therefore, it must be in the church only, andsome length of time before the close of probation. The "nations" mentioned in the 19th verse issimply to show the large territory covered by His servants (in all nations).

The destruction mentioned in Isa. 66:15-17, and Isaiah 63, is the same. Thus, God makes them anexample, or sign to all nations, for we read in the last part of the eighteenth verse, and the first partof the nineteenth: "It shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, andsee my glory. And I will set a sign among them."

Isa. 66:20: "And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nationsupon horses, and in chariots and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holymountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel intothe house of the Lord." This verse shows the ingathering of the Gentiles to the church by Hisservants (the 144,000). "His holy mountain" means His denomination; "Jerusalem" means the leadingpart.

Isa. 66:21: "And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the Lord." We havepreviously explained that the

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144,000 are to be priests and Levites, but in this verse the Lord says He will take also of the Gentiles"for priests and Levites." The reason for this is given in the next two verses. Isa. 66:23: "And it shallcome to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all fleshcome to worship before me, saith the Lord." There is to be a system of worship, therefore a need ofpriests and Levites.

Isa. 66:24: "And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressedagainst me: For their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be anabhorring unto all flesh." "For their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched:" Man'sbody is consumed by worms and the meaning is that these consuming worms will not die until thebody is reduced to dust. Neither will the fire be quenched till "the carcasses" are reduced to ashes. The reason why the worm and fire are mentioned here is told in the sixteenth verse: "For by fire andby his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh." The destruction is accomplished by both, and wherethe sword is used, the worm will do its work. "The worm shall not die....the fire shall not bequenched", means that the prophecy is sure, and the destruction foretold will be accomplished.

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SECTION VII.

What Is The Meaning Of The Fourth Chapter Of Micah?

"But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall beestablished in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flowunto it." Micah 4:1. The scripture is unmistakably clear; that it was intended for the last days, for itreads: "But in the last days it shall come to pass." It is also positive that this scripture would befulfilled, for it says: "it shall come to pass."

It is an accepted fact that nearly all Bible students agree that the "mountain" spoken of in thischapter is a symbol of God's church (denomination), of which the temple built on Mount Moriah wasa type. The prophet declares that God's church would be established in the top of the mountains(denominations), and it shall be exalted above the hills (sects, or organizations). Exalted, not by theworld, but by the Spirit of God in power, truth, and righteousness, and people will flow unto it. Godhas spoken it by His holy prophet, therefore it would be foolish, and deceptive for one to argue, ortry to explain away the meaning of the sacred word.

This same prophecy is also described in the second chapter of Isaiah from which we quote. "TheIofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lordalone shall be exalted in that day." Isa. 2:11. If everything that is human would be made low andbowed down, and the Lord alone exalted in that day, one can clearly see that the prophecy is to meetits fulfillment, for the Lord is exalted on earth by His church as portrayed by the prophet Isaiah. "Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thyGod. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate:But thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: For the Lord delighteth in thee." Isa. 62:3,4.

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When the mountain of the Lord is thus "established on the top of the mountains, and exalted aboveall hills," then doubtless "people shall flow unto it."

This glorious time spoken of by the prophet, Micah, is none other than the loud cry of the thirdangel's message. The 60th chapter of Isaiah is a prophecy of the church in the time of the "latterrain," from which we quote: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risenupon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: But theLord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thylight, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: All theygather themselves together, they come to thee: Thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shallbe nursed at thy side." Isa. 60:1-4.

"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and theearth was lightened with his glory." Rev. 18:1. "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, norspeak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: For they shall feed and lie down,and none shall make them afraid." Zeph. 3:13. "For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, andgross darkness the people: But the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee."Isa. 60:2. Such a glorious time is ahead of God's church.

Micah 4:2, first part: "And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to themountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us his ways, and wewill walk in his paths." The words just quoted are spoken by the nations. When the church of Godis purified and filled with the Holy Spirit, "clad in the armor of Christ's righteousness the church isto enter upon her final conflict. 'Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army withbanners,' she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer." Prophets and Kings, page725.

Indeed, people will inquire and invite one another, saying, "Come, and let us go up to the mountainof the Lord and to the

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house of the God of Jacob." "Therefore, thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shutday nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces (margin, wealth) of the Gentiles, and that theirkings may be brought....and I will make the place of my feet glorious. The sons also of them thatafflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves downat the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee; The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One ofIsrael." Isa. 60:11, 13, 14. Indeed, this is the harvest time spoken of by the prophets, and the greatingathering from all nation. "The house of the God of Jacob" meaning the church into which the144,000 are sealed,--Israel the true.

Micah 4:2, last part: "For the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." When the law of the Lord is proclaimed by His church, you can clearly see what is meant by arighteous church: Righteous people who would obey the voice of the Lord. Zephaniah, looking downthrough the ages by the prophetic eye, foresaw this glorious church. "The remnant of Israel shall notdo Iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: For they shall feedand lie down, and none shall make them afraid." Zeph. 3:13. None need misunderstand thisscripture. It will be fulfilled just as it is written. Though some may think this prophecy is empty talkbecause the people are saying, "come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord."

We read in Counsels to Teachers: " 'This shall be the covenant that I will make with the house ofIsrael; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts and write it in theirhearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall teach no more every manhis neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: For they shall all know Me, fromthe least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: For I will forgive their iniquity, and I willremember their sin no more." Jer. 31:33, 34.'

" 'And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, andto the house of the God of Jacob;

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and He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, andthe word of the Lord from Jerusalem.' Micah 4:2." Counsels to Teachers, pages 454, 455. Note thatthe Spirit of Prophecy applies Micah 4:2 as a sure prophecy that will come to pass and find itsfulfillment with the people of God, by associating the verse with Isa. 54:11-14; Jer. 31:33, 34; whichscriptures find their fulfillment in the time of the "Loud Cry of the Third Angel's Message."

Micah 4:3, "And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off and theyshall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: Nation shall not lift upa sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." "And he shall judge among manypeople, and rebuke strong nations afar off." In Isa. 60:10, 12, we have the explanation of the text. "And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee:...For thenation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted."

"And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: Nation shallnot lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." This verse reads exactlythe opposite of Joel 3:10, "Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: Letthe weak say I am strong."

These scriptures reveal two classes of people. One class shall flow into the church by great groups:Kings, and great army leaders who have been building destroying weapons and preparing for war. Now the gospel has conquered them. While they are joining the church they gather their warimplements, beating them into plowshares and pruninghooks. "Violence shall no more be heard inthy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thygates Praise." Isa. 60:18. The other class, outside of the church, prepare for war, beating theirplowshares into swords, and their pruninghooks into spears. One people is preparing for translation,while the other is getting ready for conquest. Therefore both scriptures run parallel and will befulfilled at

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the same time. Thus the world would be divided into two great separate and distinct classes:Separating the wheat from the chaff, the goats from the sheep.

Micah 4:4, "But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall makethem afraid: For the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it." The meaning of the verse is thatGod's church is in an absolute security, and none need fear. Remember that the 144,000 are sealedbefore this time, and their life is sure; none can harm them nor touch their present life, or the life tocome, for they are living saints, to be translated. Having this assurance, none can make them afraid,and they shall triumph with victory. Quoting Isaiah 60:17, last part, and 18: "I will also make thyofficers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wastingnor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise."

Micah 4:5, "For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the nameof the Lord our God for ever and ever." The verse is unmistakably clear that the world would bedivided into two great, and separate classes. God's people would have nothing in common with thewicked, and would say, "all people will walk every one in the name of his god." But "we will walkin the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever."

Micah 4:6, "In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her thatis driven out, and her that I have afflicted," meaning the church now, in this present condition. "I willmake her a remnant:" That is, after the separation, (purification), those who are left,--the 144,000,being the remnant. The affliction is the time of purification.

Micah 4:7, "And I will make her that halteth a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation:And the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever." "Her that wascast far off,"--the church at this present time was "cast off," or as it reads in Rev. 3:16, "I will spuethee out of my mouth,"--meaning the present Laodicean state. But in His mercy He will

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gather the remnant (those that are left) and make the church a "strong nation" by the ingathering ofthe Gentiles into the message. A great army of 144,000, filled with the Holy Ghost will fearlesslyproclaim the message in all the world, going forth conquering and to conquer. "A little one shallbecome a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in its time." Isa. 60:22. "And the Lord shall reign over them from henceforth even forever:" Christ Himself takes charge ofthe flock once and forever. "God has promised that where the shepherds are not true he will takecharge of the flock himself." Volume 5, page 80.

Micah 4:8, "And thou, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shallit come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem." This verseis familiar to all. A prophecy of Christ,--"O tower of the flock....unto thee shall it come, even the firstdominion." "The first dominion" is the dominion Adam lost. The promise is that Christ will restoreit all, and in turn, by inheritance, it shall come to the church (His people). "The kingdom shall cometo the daughter of Jerusalem."

Micah 4:9, "Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counselor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail." This time of crying and pain could be no other butthe time just before us, the time of purification. "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shallprepare the way before me: And the Lord, whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even themessenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: Behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. Butwho may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like arefiner's fire, and like fullers' sope." Mal. 3:1, 2.

This purifying process will not be an easy matter on the part of sinners, for "refiner's fire and fullers'sope" is being used, and when God gets through with this washing process, He will have a peoplepure and clean. Then there will be a glorious time with joy and gladness in the Lord, as it is with awoman in travail, but when a

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son is born there is great joy. But the question is asked, "Now why dost thou cry out loud? is thereno king in thee? is thy counselor perished?" Though it may seem painful yet none need fear, forGod's church has a King and a counselor who neither slumbers nor sleeps". The furnace is watchedclosely. The sinner shall perish, but the godly shall be preserved.

Micah 4:10, "Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: Fornow shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even toBabylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thineenemies." This verse shows that after the purification, the church is not immediately translated tothe New Jerusalem in heaven, but is left to do her appointed work here on earth. "For now shalt thougo forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; thereshalt thou be delivered; there the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies."

"Be in pain and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail." The explanationof this scripture is found in Isa. 66:7, 8. We quote verse 7: "Before she travailed, she brought forth;before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child." This woman "brought forth before shetravailed, before her pain came she was delivered of a man child." The woman is the Old Testamentchurch in the days of Christ. Christ is the man child whom she brought forth, but she travailed not,neither did she have pain. That is, she knew Him not; she felt no pain of deliverance. As it wouldbe a miracle for a woman to give birth to a child in this way, so it was a miracle that Christ was bornto that unworthy mother (Jewish church: Because she had backslidden). Quoting Isa. 66:8: "Whohath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in oneday? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." While it was a miracle for the Jewish church to give birth to Christ; there is a still greater miracle withthe church mentioned

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in this verse, for while the latter travailed she brought forth her children. It would be a wonder forsuch a thing, as it is impossible for the earth to bring forth in one day, or for a nation to be born atonce. Nevertheless it will be done, "for as soon as Zion travailed she brought forth her children."

Humanly speaking, to finish the work of the gospel in this generation (the generation being almostpast) would be an impossible task; but prophecy declares that impossibilities will be accomplished. The church which travailed and brought forth her children is the church in the time of the loud cryof the third angel's message. There is a great ingathering to be accomplished in just a little while. "And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and theearth was lightened with his glory." Rev. 18:1. "And many nations shall come, and say, Come, andlet us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob."

Micah 4:11, "Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and letour eye look upon Zion." As soon as God's church as a body (not as individuals) escapes the clutchesof the devil (for the unclean shall not enter in), and becomes earnest, filled with the Spirit of God, thewrath of the old enemy will be aroused, and will bring about the fulfillment of Rev. 12:17. "And thedragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keepthe commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus."

This time of trouble is also described by the Spirit of Prophecy. Early Writings, pages 33, 34: "Andat the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth andproclaimed the Sabbath more fully....The wicked thought that we had brought the judgments uponthem, and they rose up and took counsel to rid the earth of us, thinking that then the evil would bestayed. In the time of trouble we all fled from the cities and villages, but were pursued by the wicked,who entered the houses of the saints with a sword." Also pages 282, 283. "I saw the saints leavingthe

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cities and villages and associating together in companies, and living in the most solitary places. Angels provided them food and water, while the wicked were suffering from hunger and thirst. ThenI saw the leading men of the earth consulting together, and Satan and his angels busy around them. I saw a writing, copies of which were scattered in different parts of the land, giving orders that unlessthe saints should yield their peculiar faith, give up the Sabbath, and observe the first day of the week,the people were at liberty after a certain time, to put them to death." Jeremiah also describes thistroublous time. "The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tentsagainst her round about; they shall feed every one in his place." Jer. 6:3.

Micah 4:12, "But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they his counsel: Forhe shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor." The wicked cannot understand God. While theyseek to destroy His people they are but erecting the gallows to hang themselves upon. As the wickedHaman prepared the gallows to take the life of Mordecai, the Jew, only succeeded to hang his ownneck on it, just so the wicked will be confused in the day of God, for they know not the thoughts ofthe Lord.

Micah 4:13, "Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: For I will make thine horn iron and I will makethy hoofs brass: And thou shalt beat in pieces many people: And I will consecrate their gain unto theLord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth." God's church is to thresh garner in, bindin bundles, burn and destroy. The wicked shall perish and be as though they had not been. "For thenation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted."Isa. 60:12.

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Summary Of Lessons Of Reform

What Makes Infidels?

The question is asked What it is that makes infidels? First of all, we shall define the word. "Infidel",--"a person who has no religious faith." Standard Dictionary. If this is true, then one whohas a religion, whatever kind it may be, is not an infidel. It is an accepted fact that those who are insome dark corner of the earth, away from civilization, or Christianity, are not irreligious people. Thatis, as a rule they believe in some kind of supreme being, or supernatural power. This being so, wemust admit that heathendom does not contribute to this great degeneracy so rapidly sweeping throughthe nations. Infidelity has its beginning in civilized lands. An attempt shall be made here to designatewho is directly responsible for this widespread evil, which, like cancer is eating away the morals ofthe nations.

The following argument was put forth to an audience in a certain metropolitan city recently by aman who was attired in Indian costume, and who claimed to be a half-breed Indian. This man said,"This earth of ours rotates on its axis once in every twenty-four hours. During the day we stand ontop of the earth with the sun over head, but at night we stand underneath the earth, hanging by ourfeet with moon and stars below us in space. If you meet a Christian at midday," continued the Indian,"and ask him where he is going, he will tell you he is going to heaven. If you ask him, Where isheaven? he points up toward the sun, and says, 'There is heaven.' But you meet him twelve hourslater, at midnight, while he is under the earth, and ask him then where heaven is. This time he pointsup toward the stars, thinking he is pointing in the same direction as he did at midday, and says, 'Thereis heaven'."

Then he added, "Christians do not know where heaven is, neither do they know which way theyare going. No matter at what time of day or night it is, they always point straight up. Furthermore,

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astronomers have been photographing suns and planets for many years. Some of these suns are sofar out in space it would take millions of light years to get there, but they have not yet photographedheaven [where the throne of God is], so if there is any heaven, it must be so far away that if theseChristians would travel as fast as light (186,000 miles a second), it would take them millions uponmillions of years to get there. This would be impossible for the human span of life is limited to onlya few years."

What this Indian has said is true, as far as his objection is concerned, and of the impossibility forone to get to heaven, that is, humanly speaking. It would take a fairly good Bible student to give asatisfactory answer to this kind of infidel but the thought intended here, is that the Christian's contactwith the Indian made him (the Indian) an infidel instead of a Christian. The evil did not stop there,for in turn, this Indian is now making infidels of hundreds and thousands of people by the use of theso-called light he has received of a so-called Christian. The experience of this Indian teaches thatanyone professing the name of Christ, his course of action and conversation when in contact with theworld, has a decided influence for the better or worse, and in turn, as the waves of the sea, one wavecarries another, and another still another. "Throw a pebble into the lake, and a wave is formed, andanother, and another, and as they are increased the circle widens until it reaches the shore. So withour influence; beyond our knowledge or control it tells upon others in blessing or in cursing." C.O.L.,pages, 343, 344.

Evidently there are two classes of Christians. One class makes disciples for Christ, while the otherclass contribute infidels against Christ. We may well ask ourselves, Which class do I belong to? 2Cor. 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye notyour own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" Quoting 2 Tim. 2:15,"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightlydividing the word of truth." This commandment is as good as any Bible commandment. At least itought

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to be as good as the fifth commandment of the decalogue. "Honor thy father and thy mother: Thatthy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Ex. 20:12.

If a father commands his son to do a certain thing and that son refuses to obey, he has dishonoredhis earthly father, and is become a transgressor of the fifth commandment. But if one is asked to doa certain thing by his heavenly Father and should refuse to respond to the call, such a person hasdishonored his heavenly Father, and is become a transgressor of the first commandment, "Thou shalthave no other gods before Me." In fact, he is breaking the first four commandments which are honorto God, while the last six are love for man. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offendin one point, he is guilty of all." Jam. 2:10.

Quoting the first part of 1 Pet. 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts." The meaning isthat God alone should dwell in the heart and nothing else should interfere. It is possible for one toobey the commandment in 2 Tim. 2:15, as previously quoted, but without a sanctification of his heartto the Lord God, if he would spend a life time in studying, it would be in vain as far as spiritual thingsare concerned, of which we speak. On the other hand, if one would obey these two commandments(1 Pet. 3:15 and 2 Tim. 2:15), then he must be able to fulfill the last part of the verse, "and be readyalways to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you withmeekness and fear." 1 Pet. 3:15. The kind of answer we give to every man will prove whether wekeep God's commandments or not. If our answer is like the above-mentioned Christian, then we tooknow not where heaven is, neither do we know where we are going. Our influence would be suchas to make infidels against Christ instead of disciples for Christ. The Christian who has sanctified theLord God in his heart can give a better answer to the above-stated Indian than a so-called Christian.

Quoting Isa. 14:13, "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt mythrone above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the

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north." Lucifer wanted to ascend to the sides of the north because that is where God's throne is, andwhere the throne of God is, there heaven is also. Had this Christian pointed toward the north atmidday the same as the compass, and in the same direction at midnight, or at any time, the extremeends of all lines would meet at the same point. This answer would have been proper and instructiveas well. The whip against heaven as well as the confusion would have been avoided, and the amountof good derived from a wise answer could not be estimated. An answer to this Indian, and thedirections to heaven are given at the close of this chapter.

Lucifer said he will ascend to the sides of the north. He could have ascended had he obeyed thecommandment of the Lord. But no, Lucifer thought he knew better than his God, and wished tomake an improvement in heaven. Honest in his deception, he attempted the impossible task. In Isa.14:15, we read: "Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the side of the pit." The result wasinstead of ascending to the sides of the north where he desired to go, he descended down in the sidesof the pit (in the opposite direction). Just so, many Christians now, like Lucifer, think they are goingto ascend up in the sides of the north (Heaven) but in their own way, wishing to improve on thewisdom of the Living God. They are more interested to go to heaven than they are to study and obeythe explicit instruction given them in the Word of God. Though honest in their misconception of theheavenly direction, they will find themselves down in the sides of the pit (hell). The disappointmentto such a one would be greater than we can realize. Experience only can ten the sorrow and grief atsuch a time. This class of Christians are not only a detriment to themselves, but are injurious toothers, and are the ones of whom our Lord said, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of yourfather ye will do." John 8:44.

Quoting 2 Cor. 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" We, asSeventh-day Adventists, would do no wrong to heaven nor injustice

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to ourselves if we would take an account of our Christian experience so that we may be able to tellwhere we are headed for. We, as a people, have been honored by heaven with a special message forthe world in this generation. We call this message the "Third Angel's Message" which is acombination of the first, second, and third angel's messages of Rev. 14:6-12. The substance of themessage we bear may be classified into five subjects: (1) the time of the end; (2) the judgment (dayof atonement, since 1844); (3) the second coming of Christ in this generation; (4) the restoration ofthe true Sabbath; (5) calling God's people out from Babylon (idolatry) which we define to be Sunday,Easter, and Christmas keeping, etc. Because they have refused to acknowledge and renounce thepractice of these so-called Christian institutions or festivals is the chief cause of the downfall ofBabylon. The call is to depart from these pagan practices to the true worship of Jehovah.

We teach tithing for the support of the gospel. We claim we are the people who keep thecommandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus, the latter being the gift of the Spirit ofProphecy; also the doctrines of health reform, dress reform, etc. The chief and only purpose of thesedoctrines being to prepare a peculiar people to God's own glory and honor; a people to meet the Lordwithout tasting death, or, to rise in the special resurrection of Daniel 12. "But ye are a chosengeneration, a royal Priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praisesof him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." 1 Pet. 2:9.

This message is to penetrate into the uttermost parts of the earth, for by it shall the world bejudged. Rejectors being condemned to death, it is a far more fearful message than we can evenrealize. This is the substance and the object of the message we bear to every kindred, tongue, andpeople, and its presentation before the public in all its wonders has a great effect. The people listenwith intense interest and give their undivided attention, eager to grasp every thought expressed. Becoming interested in the truth, they begin to search

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deeper in the Word. They supply themselves with the books of the Spirit of Prophecy, and with greatinterest commence to search through the sacred pages.

Believing as they have been taught that this is the day of judgment, they expect to see God's peoplerid themselves from all sin by obedience to His divine Word, and especially to the instructions givento the church by His messenger in this generation. As they search through the writings by the Spiritof Prophecy, they naturally come to the following passages: Counsels on Health, page 277: "Ourideas of building and furnishing our institutions are to be molded and fashioned by a true, practicalknowledge of what it means to walk humbly with God. Never should it be thought necessary to givean appearance of wealth. Never should appearance be depended on as a means of success. This isa delusion. The desire to make an appearance that is not in every way appropriate to the work thatGod has given us to do, an appearance that could be kept up only by expending a large sum ofmoney, is a merciless tyrant. It is like a canker that is ever eating into the vitals.

"Men of common sense appreciate comfort above elegance and display. It is a mistake to supposethat by keeping up an appearance, more patients, and therefore more means, would be gained. Buteven if this course would bring an increase of patronage, we would not consent to have oursanitariums furnished according to the luxurious ideas of the age."

Volume 5, page 188, speaking of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: "They lived only for God's glory, anddeclared plainly that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth seeking a better country, that is, anheavenly. Their conduct proclaimed their faith....But how are the professed people of God todaymaintaining the honor of his name? How could the world infer that they are a peculiar people? Whatevidence do they give of citizenship in Heaven?...As your course was presented before me I waspointed to the dwellings recently erected by our people in that city. These buildings are so manymonuments of your unbelief of the doctrines which you profess

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to hold. They are preaching sermons more effective than any delivered from the pulpit. I sawworldlings point to them with jesting and ridicule, as a denial of our faith. They proclaim that whichthe owners have been saying in their hearts,--'My Lord delayeth his coming'."

Volume 7, pages 59, 91, 92: "The Lord has instructed me to warn those who in the futureestablish sanitariums in new places, to begin their work in humility, consecrating their abilities to Hisservice. The buildings erected are not to be large or expensive. Small local sanitariums are to beestablished in connection with our training-schools"...."We must also remember that our work is tocorrespond with our faith. We believe that the Lord is soon to come, and should not our faith berepresented in the buildings we erect? Shall we put a large outlay of money into a building that willsoon be consumed in the great conflagration? Our money means souls, and it is to be used to bringa knowledge of the truth to those who, because of sin, are under the condemnation of God."

Volume 9, page 71: "God designs that we shall learn lessons from the failures of the past. It is notpleasing to Him to have debts rest upon His institutions. We have reached the time when we mustgive character to the work by refusing to erect large and costly buildings. We are not to copy themistakes of the past, and become more and more involved in debt."

It is the privilege of the reader to inquire from God's people why the instructions given by onewhom we believe to be the prophet of God for the present time have not been carried out. Now weare confronted face to face with our text, "And be ready always to give an answer to every man thatasketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." 1 Pet. 3:15. What answer canwe give that would demonstrate meekness and fear within the hearts of God's people? Would ouranswer give a character to God's work and His people? Would that answer establish the confidenceof the inquisitor in the message and the people that bear this great responsibility? What shall we say? Whether by word or by silence, that

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answer can only be, "Yes, that is what the prophet says, but it is not what we do." Would such ananswer give one the impression that we believe this is the day of atonement, and that every man mustconfess his sin? Would that person now accept the truth and be a Christian? Or would he, with thepreviously-mentioned Indian become an infidel? Most likely the latter would be accepted, and thetruth rejected. But this is not where the evil ends.

Another comes with the following question: "You preach that Christmas is not the true birthdayof Christ; that it is the birthday of an imposter, a day of pagan institution, and idolatrous worship. You have told us that Christians must not take part in it, and for this reason are supposed to comeout from fallen Babylon. Why then do you do the same as those who are in Babylon? You give giftsand receive gifts, you send an What answer shall we give to this second inquisitor that would establishhis faith in what we believe?

Whether we answer the question or not, our works have declared, "Yes, that is what we preach,but that is not what we practice." Is not this hypocrisy of the highest form? Has our answer nowcompelled this poor soul to accept or to reject the truth? Most likely he would reject the truth andjoin the ranks of infidelity now if never before. What is true of Christmas, the same is true of Easter,etc., but the current does not stop here.

The third person in line comes with the following passages: Volume 6, pages 215, 216, "Ourconferences look to the schools for educated and well-trained laborers, and they should give theschools a most hearty and intelligent support. Light has been plainly given that those who ministerin our schools, teaching the word of God explaining the Scriptures, educating the students in thethings of God, should be supported by the tithe money....The same principles which, if followed, willbring success and blessing to our training-schools and colleges, should govern our plans and workfor the church schools." This prophet whom you say is a prophet of God says thus

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and so. Why then do you not pay our school teachers by the tithe as God has commanded? Why doyou desecrate the Sabbath by raising the teacher's salary in the hour of worship? If this is a prophetof God, why have you lightly esteemed the instructions given? Do you not fear God? Now what canbe said to this man? We may not say anything. But that will not hide the evil for our works haverevealed the following secret, "Yes, that is what God has said by His prophet, but that is not what wedo."

How much tithe do you think this man would pay after he knows that we have misused it? Wouldsuch practices establish his confidence in the message and in the people? Would he now sacrifice aday in a week and one-tenth of his income and perhaps his position? His soul is at stake, and ofwhom shall it be required? Fearful, is it not?

The fourth one arrives with Volume 1, pages 471, 472: "A great mistake has been made by somewho profess present truth, by introducing merchandise in the course of a series of meetings, and bytheir traffic diverting minds from the object of the meetings. If Christ were now upon earth, he woulddrive out these peddlers and traffickers, whether they be ministers or people, with a scourge of smallcords, as when he entered the temple anciently....'And said unto them, It is written, My house shallbe called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves'." These traffickers might havepleaded as an excuse that the articles they held for sale were for sacrificial offerings. But their objectwas to get gain, to obtain means, to accumulate....Ministers have stood in the desk and preached amost solemn discourse, and then by introducing merchandise, and acting the part of a salesman, evenin the house of God, they have diverted the minds of their hearers from the impressions received, anddestroyed the fruit of their labor....Their time and strength should be held in reserve, that their effortsmay be thorough in a series of meetings. Their time and strength should not be drawn upon to sellour books when they can be properly brought before the public by those who have not the burden ofpreaching the word."

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This newly-interested person asks the question, "Why do you sell your publications in the church? Why do you desecrate the Sabbath with your merchandise? Is not the morning hour of the Sabbathsacred and for worship only? You have told me this was the prophet of God for this generation. Why have you disregarded the warning? Is not this book written by that prophet in whom you claimto believe?" What shall we tell this man? Is there anything we can say that would excuse us from theguilt? Whether we answer by word, or by silence, our works have manifested the following act, "Yes,that is what the prophet of God has said, but that is not what we do." We have sung our song, butwhat about the soul of this man?

The next person comes with Volume 8, pages 141, 142: "Those who are steadfast to the truthshould not be set aside in favor of worldlings. Prices should not be set so high to meet currentexpenses that the poor will, to a large extent, be excluded from the benefits of the Sanitarium."

"This book which is claimed to be the inspired word of God, and which is said to contain all theinstructions for the church at this present time says the denominational institutions must not set theirprices so high as to meet current (running) expenses. The latest report according to the GeneralConference Bulletin in 1930 is: The denomination has received a net income of some $116,000,000in four years from these institutions. If this prophet of God has said, "You are not to set your pricesso high as to meet your current expense," how then did you make all these millions of dollars in justfour short years? Why have you not followed the instructions? Does not your God mean what Hesays?"

What shall our answer be this time? Shall we say it is better to sacrifice than to obey? Is this wordis respected or not? Will we hear the "well done" for losing the sheep and bringing the dollars? IsHe after the gold more than the sheep? What shall we say? Shall we say our institutions are facingsunshine

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and our judgment better than God's? We may not say this by words, but our works have revealedthat which is in our hearts. But what about this poor soul? Will he cast his lot with the people ofGod, or with the rank of infidelity? Oh! who shall pay the price of his blood?

The line has not yet reached its end, for another interested one comes with a large number ofreferences, both from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, wishing to inquire in regard to theinstructions for the church respecting health reform. These books, which it is claimed are written forthe people of God for this last generation teach a strict health reform. This prophet has charged thechurch to establish health institutions everywhere, consisting of the manufacturing of health foodsstores, health cafeterias, schools and teachers for the art of cooking; also that the members of thechurch must refrain from foods which are considered by health authorities to be unhealthful.

Health reform is to be agitated everywhere, and it seems this prophet is right in the matter. Theprophet also claims that those who disregard health principles can not enter in through the pearlygates of the Holy City, according to the following statement from Volume 5, page 197: "Rather thansit at a table where wholesome food is provided, he will patronize restaurants, because he can thereindulge appetite without restraint....That man is worshipping at the shrine of perverted appetite. Heis an idolater. The powers which, sanctified and ennobled, might be employed to honor God, areweakened and rendered of little service. An irritable temper, a confused brain, and unstrung nervesare among the results of his disregard of nature's laws. He is inefficient, unreliable....Thus the Godof Israel is dishonored, while Satan's power is revered and exalted."

Volume 2, page 69: "A wrong course of eating or drinking destroys health, and with it thesweetness of life....Thousands have indulged their perverted appetites, have eaten a good meal, asthey called it, and as the result, have brought on a fever, or some other

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acute disease, and certain death. That was enjoyment purchased at immense cost. Yet many havedone this, and these self-murderers have been eulogized by their friends and the minister, and carrieddirectly to Heaven at their death. What a thought! Gluttons in Heaven! No, no; such will neverenter the pearly gates of the golden city of God."

"If these things are written by the prophet of God, as claimed, why have you so lightly esteemedthe counsel of the Lord? Why do most of your people eat flesh foods? The prophet writes that God'speople must leave flesh food alone. If these things are so, then how do you expect to gain entrancethrough the pearly gates? Does not your God mean what He says?" Have not our deeds alreadygiven the following answer to this earnest soul? "Yes, that is what the prophet says, but that is notwhat we do." One may say, It is the duty of the ministry to instruct the people in the church, andwhat I do not know I can not be responsible for. For the benefit of such a one we quote the followingscripture: "So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thoushalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wickedman, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked manshall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand." Ezekiel 33:7, 8.

The seventh one, next in line with a great number of references both from the Bible and theTestimonies, wishes to inquire about certain things which are a question in his mind. "Do not thesereferences plainly teach that God's people can not and must not follow the fashions of the world, andthat ornaments be discarded by the members of the church? Volume 1, page 270: "The prophecy ofIsaiah 3, was presented before me, as applying to these last days; and the reproofs are given to thedaughters of Zion who have thought only of appearance and display. Read verse 25: 'Thy men shallfall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.' I was shown that this scripture will be strictly fulfilled. Young men and women

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professing to be Christians yet having no Christian experience, and having borne no burdens and feltno individual responsibility, are to be proved. They will be brought low in the dust, and will long foran experience in the things of God, which they have failed to obtain."

Isa. 3:16-24, "Moreover the Lord saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk withstretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling withtheir feet: Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion,and the Lord will discover their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of theirtinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, the chains,and the bracelets, and the mufflers, the bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands,and the tablets, and the earrings, the rings, and nose jewels, the changeable suits of apparel, and themantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, the glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and thevails. And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdlea rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; andburning instead of beauty."

"Why, then, are the members of your denomination wearing these things, and are permitted to takean active part in the church even to the extent of serving in office, also being members of your churchcouncil? The instructions by your prophet are, that church members in dressing their children shouldhave the clothing evenly distributed, covering all necessary parts of the body." This prophet claimsthat these instructions must be closely followed to safeguard the health and maturity of your children. You claim this is a prophet of God and these volumes contain the instructions for the church for thisgeneration. Why have you slighted the advice of your prophet? Do you not believe in these writings,or do you think these instructions are not good? If you do not care for the welfare of your children,do you not fear your God?"

Numerous questions have been asked, but let us answer them by

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the following: When your God appears with vengeance upon the wicked, and if he should questionyou with all the foregoing questions, what would you answer Him? Matt. 22:12-14 will here bequoted: "And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take himaway, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many arecalled, but few are chosen."

Still another wishes to find the truth and earnestly presents his question this time from Testimoniesto Ministers, page 475: "Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says: 'Behold, I will send you Elijahthe prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.' Somebody is to come in thespirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say: 'You are too earnest, you do notinterpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to each your message'." "Thisprophet whom you say is a prophet of God claims that another prophet, or a message, is to come tothe church, but you say that you have all the truth and that you need no more truth or prophets. Whyhave you not educated your people to expect a message before the end? Do you not fear that theresult now may be the same as in the time of Christ with the Jews?" This question will be answeredby the following scripture. We quote Christ, speaking to the Jews, "Wherefore ye be witnesses untoyourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure ofyour fathers." Matt. 23:31, 32.

After all these questions are asked without receiving proper answers, have we complied with thetext, "and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope thatis in you with meekness and fear"? We must not be surprised if the inquisitor expresses his personalopinion in the following manner: "You people teach one thing but do another. You have departedfrom the fundamentals of your doctrine. Your doctrines as they are written in your books arebeautiful and in harmony with the law and

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the testimony, but your personal testimony and practice is contrary to anything that is printed in yourbooks." Doubtless these are some of the reasons why out of 104,000 baptized in the last four years,fifty-two some thousands left the truth, and only forty-eight some thousands remained in the church. Note that a larger number of them went out than those who stayed in. These are some of the causeswhich are apt to make infidels.

God Reveals Secrets To His Prophets

If the Testimonies for the church have any connection with the Spirit of God, and if these thingswritten in this article are true, then we must believe God has made the thing known to His servantthe prophet, (the founder of this denomination). The following vision is quoted from Testimonies toMinisters, page 469: "As the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, I seemed to be present in one of yourcouncils. One of your number rose, his manner was very decided and earnest as he held up a paperbefore you. I could read plainly the heading of the paper; it was the American Sentinel. Criticismswere then passed upon the paper and the character of the articles therein published. Those in councilpointed to certain passages, declaring that this must be cut out, and that must be changed. Strongwords were uttered in criticism of the methods of the paper, and a strong un-Christlike spiritprevailed. Voices were decided and defiant. My guide gave me words of warning and reproof tospeak to those who took part in this proceeding, who were not slow to utter their accusations andcondemnation. In substance this was the reproof given: The Lord has not presided at this council,and there is a spirit of strife among the counselors. The minds and hearts of these men are not underthe controlling influence of the Spirit of God."

The American Sentinel was one of the denominational papers in the early days of the movement. The changes that were suggested to be made does not necessarily mean that the things contained inthat particular paper were to be changed or cut out. We must remember that it is only a vision, andit can mean any denominational paper

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that contains God's truth. We read at the top of this same page from which this vision is quoted: "Donot think that you will be found as vessels unto honor in the time of the latter rain, to receive theglory of God, if you are lifting up your souls unto vanity, speaking perverse things, in secretcherishing roots of bitterness." From this it is clear that the vision is touching the time just before thelatter rain.

The prophecy in this vision had met its fulfillment, and who would dare doubt the authenticity ofthe Spirit of God? Who would dare support an open violation of sacred things against his own hurt? God has set His hand to redeem His people. Pharaoh and his host cannot prevail against theall-powerful God. "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again thesecond time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt,and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from theislands of the sea....And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with hismighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and makemen go over dryshod. And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall beleft, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt." Isa.11:11, 15, 16.

God will yet have a clean people and a pure church, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holycity: For henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean." Isa. 52:1. "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be foundin their mouth: For they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid." Zeph. 3:13.

God's Laws,--How Broken?

If an earthly father would ask his son to do a certain thing, and that son would refuse to do thatcertain thing, he has transgressed

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the fifth commandment, and that son, through his disobedience to the request, has dishonored hisfather. "Honour thy father and thy mother: That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lordthy God giveth thee." Ex. 20:12. But if our Heavenly Father has asked us to do a certain thing, andwe refuse to obey, we have dishonored Him, and have become transgressors of the firstcommandment. In fact, we would be breaking the first four commandments, which are in honor toGod. The obedient to these precepts are those who love God and keep His commandments. "Thoushalt have no other gods before me." Ex. 20:3. "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not thethings which I say?" Lu. 6:46. "Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into thekingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matt. 7:21.

Is The Church In An Excellent Condition?

In the General Conference Bulletin No. 2, of 1930, the statement is made that we are in an excellentcondition. The increase in members and finances is being given as the reason in support of thestatement. However, he who would believe the claim is saying in his heart the following quotationsare false. Volume 3, pages 252-257, 260: "The message to the church of the Laodiceans is a startlingdenunciation, and is applicable to the people of God at the present time....The people of God arerepresented in the message to the Laodiceans as in a position of carnal security. They are at ease,believing themselves to be in an exalted condition of spiritual attainments. 'Because thou sayest, Iam rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou artwretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.'

"What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right, whenthey are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yethonest in that deception. They know not that their condition is

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deplorable in the sight of God. While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in anexalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startlingdenunciation of their true condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony,so cutting and sever, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and his testimonymust be correct.

"It is difficult for those who feel secure in their attainments, and who believe themselves to be richin spiritual knowledge, to receive the message which declares that they are deceived and in need ofevery spiritual grace. The unsanctified heart is 'deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.' I was shown that many are flattering themselves that they are good Christians who have not a ray oflight from Jesus. They have not a living experience for themselves in the divine life. They need adeep and thorough work of self-abasement before God, before they will feel their true need ofearnest, persevering effort to secure the precious graces of the Spirit....They think the testimony ofthe Spirit of God in reproof is uncalled for, or that it does not mean them. Such are in the greatestneed of the grace of God and spiritual discernment, that they may discover their deficiency in spiritualknowledge....But the message of the True Witness reveals the fact that a terrible deception is uponour people, which makes it necessary to come to them with warnings, to break their spiritual slumber,and arouse them to decided action....Unbelief is closing their eyes, so that they are ignorant of theirtrue condition. The True Witness thus describes their blindness: 'And knowest not that thou artwretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.'

"Faith in the soon coming of Christ is waning. 'My Lord delayeth his coming' is not only said in theheart, but expressed in words, and most decidedly in works. Stupidity in this watching time is sealingthe senses of God's people as to the signs of the times. The terrible iniquity which abounds calls forthe greatest diligence

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and for the living testimony, to keep sin out of the church....Those who despise the warning will beleft in blindness to become self-deceived. But those who heed it, and zealously go about the workof separating their sins from them in order to have the needed graces, will be opening the door oftheir hearts that the dear Saviour may come in and dwell with them. This class you will ever find inperfect harmony with the testimony of the Spirit of God. Ministers who are Preaching Present truthshould not neglect the solemn message to the Laodiceans....The True Witness declares that when yousuppose you are really in a good condition of prosperity, you are in need of everything.

"The people of God must see their wrongs, and arouse to zealous repentance, and a putting awayof those sins which have brought them into such a deplorable condition of poverty, blindness,wretchedness, and fearful deception."

The fact that our brethren think that we are in an excellent condition proves that Inspiration tellsthe truth. We think we are right while we are all wrong. Quoting Volume 3, pages 270, 271: "Thosewho work in the fear of God to rid the church of hindrances, and to correct grievous wrongs, thatthe people of God may see the necessity of abhorring sin, and may prosper in purity, and that thename of God may be glorified, will ever meet with resisting influences from the unconsecrated. Zephaniah thus describes the true state of this class, and the terrible judgments that will come uponthem." "This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is nonebeside me: How is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! Every one that passethby her shall hiss, and wag his hand." Zeph. 2:15.

"Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice, shereceived not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God. Her princeswithin her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: Her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they havedone violence

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to the law. The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bringhis judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame." Zeph. 3:1-5.

What Has Been Gained During The Past Quadrennium?

At the General Conference of 1930, held in San Francisco, Calif., the following statistics arereported with great enthusiasm and boasting over the excellency of the great denomination. Theentire membership throughout the world four years ago was 250,988. Latest reports available in1930, at the San Francisco Conference session says the membership has increased to 299,555. Theincrease in the four year period since the last General Conference held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is48,567. Review and Herald, June 1, 1930, pages 39-41. The brethren think this is a tremendousincrease in membership, and therefore, we are in an excellent condition, is the cry.

The story of a certain farmer's little girl has been told how she sold a few pounds of cherries to astranger for a few pennies. She thought it would be wise to put her golden bracelet into the bag ofcherries so that it would give her a better weight, and receive more money thereby. The child wasoverwhelmed with her supposed wise transaction, ran into the house, and happily exclaimed to hermother that she had received more money than the regular amount for her cherries by throwing thegolden bracelet in with the cherries. On the child's part, it was a great increase, and a wise judgment,but to the mother's knowledge of the costly jewel being practically given away was a greatdisappointment.

The denomination's boasting of a so-called tremendous growth in members is as true as thesupposed great increase in price of the cherries sold by the little girl. Let us take an account of theprice we have paid for the little gain in members. We shall attempt to prove that the children bornto this denomination in the past four years (were they saved to the church), the increase in membersof a little over 48,000 would have been more than double, even though there had not been one addedfrom outside of the church. If this is true,

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then more than one-half of the children born to the denomination are lost in the world, even if theentire gain of new members were the offsprings of the church. But if this increase is not entirely fromwithin the church, then most all of the denomination's children are lost, and that would mean we haveexchanged our jewels (children) for a few converts from the heathen lands, as the little girl exchangedher golden bracelet for the weight of the cherries.

How terrible the thought to lose your own children to the number of more than 97,000, and anexpenditure of nearly $165,000,000, all in four years' time to bring but few children from the world. If rightly realized the grief is heavier than one can bear. Think of such a tremendous loss of life,sacrifice, and labor inside of four years. But the worst part is that we are boasting instead ofweeping, and therefore there is but little hope to remedy the great wound. Is it not true thatLaodiceans are blind and asleep while they think they are rich and increased with good? Now weshall bring the evidence that the charge made here is true.

The increase in membership in the last four years is just a little over 19%. This would mean thata church of 200 members should yield a little less than ten children per year, or about 39 every fouryears. This estimation is very low, from a church that is made up mostly of women as theSeventh-day Adventist church is. For an example, we shall consider Exposition Park church in LosAngeles, Cal. The present membership of this particular church is approximately 230. About 30 ofthese members are isolated and hardly ever attend church services on the Sabbath, so we shallconsider only the 200 members who attend Sabbath services.

The denominational increase in members in the last four years being a little over 19%, therefore achurch of the size stated above should yield about 39 children in four years or have about 39 childrenbetween two and six years of age in order to meet the increase we have made. The kindergarten inthe Sabbath School of the said church takes the children from two to seven years of age. The lapseof time is five years instead of four.

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The figures to meet the gain in members are less than ten per year of the fixed age, therefore in thespan of five years the number of children of that age would not exceed 49 in the kindergarten of theSabbath School if every child of that age attended the said department of this institution. In thisparticular church, only about one-half of the church membership attend the Sabbath School, but theother half may be present only for the preaching service, and where the parents are absent, thechildren are also. Therefore there must be less than half of the children from two to seven years ofage present in the kindergarten department of the Sabbath School. The one-half of the children ofkindergarten age should number less than twenty-five to meet the increased percentage of membersin the four years. The number of children in the said institution attending the kindergarten departmentof the Sabbath School are about 35. The number required to meet the claim is less than 25; thereforewe have 10 above the number estimated. These figures prove the percentage of children born eachfour years to this denomination to be not less than 35% of the membership. Therefore, if all thedenominational children born each four years were saved to the church, without any evangelical effortfor outside converts, the increase in the past four years would have been 35% instead of 19%. Butthe fact is, that the percentage of childbirths in the United States is much smaller than that in foreignlands. Where there is one child in an American home, there are three of more in a home of someforeign country, therefore the children born to this denomination each four years is much more thantwice the total increase in members for the same period of time.

Where we have gained 48,567 new members, the children born to this denomination should haveexceeded far above 97,000, and that above this figure would have taken care of the ones claimed bydeath, and some to spare. (It has been estimated those claimed by death in the same four years to beonly about 3500.) Thus we have the proof that the "Lambs" which God has given to this people toraise for Him are lost in the world (devoured by the enemy), and no one

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cares. There is neither sorrow nor sadness in the camp of Israel, but instead, there is feasting andgladness and boasting with blindness.

"Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock? What wilt thou say when he shallpunish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: Shall not sorrows takethee, as a woman in travail?" Jer. 13:20, 21. "The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do thisday: the father to the children shall make known thy truth." Isa. 38:19. "That the generation to comemight know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to theirchildren." Ps. 78:6. "They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that werehungry ceased: So that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble."1 Sam. 2:5. May God help His people in this great day of deception where the shrewd enemy istrying to deceive even the very elect.

Answer To The Indian's Argument On Pages 182-3

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightlydividing the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: And be readyalways to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you withmeekness and fear." 1 Pet. 3:15. The commandment in the Bible is that a Christian must study, andthat he also must give an answer to every man. This Indian being one of the "every man," accordingto the Scriptures there must be a way, and it is the duty of a Christian to give him an answer withmeekness and fear.

"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the starsof God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north." Isa. 14:13. Lucifer wished to ascend in the sides of the north because God's throne is there. Said the Psalmist,"Beautiful for situation, the joy

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of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." Ps. 48:2.

God's throne is in the north. One may point to the north at any time from any part of the earth, andthe extreme end of each line would meet at the same point. Had the so-called Christian pointed tothe north, the answer would have been proper and in harmony with the Bible; thus both the confusionand the whip would have been avoided. Pointing to the north does not mean that heaven issomewhere in the north corner of the celestial expanse of stellar bodies, for we understand that God'sthrone is in the center of the universe.

The axis of the earth tilts in a slanting direction in relation to its orbit. If we point in anotherdirection than north or south at any time it would be either east or west. In the daytime, pointing inany direction (except with the axis of the earth) we are pointing to the east (the sun), and at night tothe west, with no specific direction into space. Pointing to the sun constitutes east; the oppositedirection to the sun is west dealing with our solar system only, but the direction of north deals withthe center of the universe.

There is no such thing as up and down in space. The only thing that would constitute up is thecenter of attraction (God's throne): Down (or south) is in the opposite direction from God's throne,(the great celestial expanse). The center of attraction is surrounded by island universes. The axis ineach island universe (or suns, planets, and worlds) all point to one center of attraction (God's throne). This great and most supreme sovereign center stands as the highest peak on a great mountain aroundwhich all creation revolves, each suspended by an unseen power (chain) attached to its north axissimilar to the pendulum hanging from a great clock.

How Can Christians Get To Heaven If The Distance Is So Great?

The fastest speed on earth known to modern science at this present time is light which travels atthe rate of 186,284 miles a

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second. If one was to take a flight on the wings of light to the great nebula Orion, it would take him600 years to reach that far-distant wonder in the heavens which has drawn an earnest attention ofmodern science. Quoting from Early Writings, page 41, we read: "The atmosphere parted and rolledback; then we could look up through the open space in Orion, whence came the voice of God. Theholy city will come down through that open space." If the holy city is to come through that space wemay well suppose that that glorious open space in Orion is the gateway to that long-continuedhighway to heaven (God's throne). But think of the great distance to this most wonderful gateway. If it would take 600 light years to reach the entrance to that far-distant highway, then we askourselves, How many light years would it take to reach the other end of that heavenly highway to thecity of the great King in the sides of the north?

We mortals can not give a direct answer to this great question only to say the distance from earthto the center of the universe (God's throne) is so vast that we finite beings only stand awestruck. Weare amazed with the difficulty to compute mileage, or even light years. But if the distance is so vastlybeyond human comprehension, then we, like the previously-stated Indian, ask the question, Howwould Christians ever get to heaven? Suppose that great wonder (train) which takes the redeemedwould move at the tremendous speed of light, traveling 186,000 miles a second, it would take a goodpart of eternity to reach the city of the Great King (heaven).

Here we shall see what we consider a terrific speed. Heaven esteems it very dilatory. For anexample, we shall consider Jesus after the resurrection. It was Mary who met Him first. As shereached for her Lord, Jesus said to her, "Mary, touch Me not; for I have not yet ascended to MyFather." John 20:17. Eight days later Jesus again appeared to His disciples. "Then saith He toThomas, Reach hither thy finger, ...and thrust it into My side; and be not faithless, but believe." John20:27. If Jesus would not let Mary touch Him because He had not yet been to His Father after

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He had risen, we may not suppose He would let Thomas thrust His finger in His side except He hadbeen to heaven by His Father. Jesus, in a week or less, made a round trip from earth to heaven.

Suppose this Indian wished to go to heaven, and chose to ride on the wings of light. Starting thesame day Christ arose from the tomb, sweeping through space at the rate of 186,000 miles a second,he would still be on the way. More than that, the nebula,--which we are a part of is 300,000 lightyears in diameter. Therefore, he would still be inside the city limits of our own nebula. A certainwriter, speaking of the center of the universe (God's throne), has described the distance in thefollowing words: "But the solution of the mystery of the distance to the center of centers--to thatremote point in space which is the center of gravity for all the tens of thousands of galaxies--will haveto await the completion of our nebular survey which will take from ten to fifteen years or more; andit may never be solved."

The speed of light is altogether too slow a velocity for heavenly beings to span the immenseuniverse of God. Daniel felt in need and offered a prayer to his God which is recorded in Dan.9:4-19. This short prayer of only fifteen verses can be read in less than five minutes, but we maysuppose he was very careful in his prayer and took his time: Perhaps ten or even twenty minutes. Quoting Daniel's own record: "And whiles I was speaking, and praying....Gabriel whom I had seenin the vision....being caused to fly swiftly, touched me....and said, O Daniel,...at the beginning of thysupplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee." Dan. 9:20-23. Here is arecord of a rate of speed that is altogether beyond human comprehension. The prayer to heaven andthe angel to earth was accomplished in less than twenty minutes. Heaven only knows how an angelcan make that tremendous, unspeakable distance in but a few minutes. There would be no trouble,

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difficulty, or any delay on that most glorious journey after Christians once start on the way. But wesurely are slow to start, and that is our only problem that we must solve in regards to the distance,and the journey from earth to heaven.

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Summary Of The 144,000

The Deadly Wound Is Healed

"And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: Andall the world wondered after the beast." Rev. 13:3. It is generally understood among Seventh-dayAdventists that since the Italian government granted civil power to the pope on the 11th day of Feb.,1929, to be the event of the prophetic fulfillment, we shall grant that the interpretation is correct, andthe "deadly wound" has been healed. Note the verbs "was" and "healed" are both in past tense. Thisbeing so, it is evident that this particular prophecy is to be fully understood after its fulfillment (as towhen and how accomplished).

If the event of the above stated date fulfilled the prophecy, then we would make no mistake if weshould suppose that the last part of the verse has as well met its fulfillment. "And all the worldwondered after the beast." Quoting from Volume 6, page 14: "The prophecy of the Revelation isbeing fulfilled, that 'all the world wondered after the beast.' Rev. 13:3." The world being now at thispresent time in no better spiritual condition, but worse, we may conclude that the Scripture has fullymet its fulfillment. The wound has been "healed" as well as the world has "wondered after the beast."

We need not assume that the world would have to enroll in the membership of that body of peoplein order to fulfill the prophecy. Note the world wondered not after the wounded head but after thebeast. The scripture deals in the sense of spiritual matters. Again, quoting from Volume 6, page 15:"This demon-worship was revealed to him [John], and it seemed to him as if the whole world werestanding on the brink of perdition." The world has partaken of the spirit of the beast, thus fulfillingthe divine prediction.

"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven headsand ten horns, and upon his horns

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[Picture of Leopard-like Beast]

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ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." Rev. 13:1. Note this beast has seven headsand ten horns. In order to get a full understanding of the prophecy we must begin from the root up. (For the first time these ten kings (horns) are brought to our attention by the Scriptures, found inDan. 2:41, 42, represented by the ten toes on the great image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream.) Afterrevealing to the king the end of his golden empire, represented by the head of gold, and down throughthe stream of time to the second coming of Christ, Daniel says, "And in the days of these kings shallthe God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed." Dan. 2:44.

In Daniel 7, this same prophecy of the world's history is repeated in symbols of beasts. The kingsrepresented by the toes of the great image are this time represented by ten horns of the "fourth" and"non-descript" beast in verse 7. The reason for the duplicate is to bring the truth of the little horn(papal power, verse 8). The ten horns (kings) are repeated again in Rev. 13:1, to point out the timeof the prophecy as explained by Daniel,--"in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set upa kingdom."

Note that this (leopard) beast of Rev. 13:1-3, arise out of the sea, in like manner as the four beastsof Daniel 7, therefore, the process that brings about this beast on the stage of action is the same asthose representing Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome. If the ten horns of this beast representthe kings now in existence at which time "shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom" (quoting thewords of Daniel), then the beast himself represents the period following Rome, as the breaking downof the Roman empire brought about the existence of these kings. It is also being termed "Rome inher broken state" symbolized by the great image of Dan. 2:42, the feet and toes of which arecomposed of iron and clay. Iron is the metal which represents Rome; the clay, the broken part.

"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven headsand ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." Rev. 13:1.

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The symbols given by Inspiration are perfectly capable of revealing the truth beyond a shadow of adoubt. Any interpretation of the prophecy that does not come up to the exact specification by thesymbols is not the kind that can be depended upon, and sooner or later would be exploded.

It has been admitted that the ten horns represent the ten kingdoms into which Rome was divided. This interpretation is true, for you will note these ten horns are horns with crowns. The crownsdenote these kings have received their kingdom, but note carefully the heads are without crowns,therefore these seven heads cannot represent kingdoms or civil governments. Thus it would beunwise and deceptive to even think that the heads could represent civil powers in the past or future.

All seven heads are alike without distinction one from another. If the head that was woundedrepresents a religious system, then we must conclude that the six represent religious bodies. Thenumber of them being the Biblical number "seven," it means "all," or complete."

Had the heads come one after another like the beasts of Daniel 7 and the little horn after which thethree were "plucked up," it would denote a successive form of systems. Since all seven were inexistence at the same time, the symbol reveals that all seven systems must rule during the sameperiod.

These seven heads cannot represent anything at any time before the fall of the Roman monarchyfor that which represents what took place before the fall of Rome is symbolized in the compositionof the beast, excluding the seven heads and ten horns (as set forth in the second verse). The leopardpart represents Grecia (Dan. 7:6); the feet of a bear, Medo-Persia (Dan. 7:5); and the mouth of a lionrepresents Babylon (Dan. 7:4). The combination of the beast in Rev. 13:1, 2, in his makeup, is theevidence that he comes on the stage of action after the four great universal empires; namely, Babylon,Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome. Thus, he becomes the fifth beast, representing the period whichfollowed the fall of Rome. The ten horns

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of both beasts, Dan. 7:7, and Rev. 13:1, as well as the ten toes of Dan. 2:42, represent the same tenkingdoms into which Rome was divided. These ten kings personate the civilization in the fifth period,or the one which followed Rome to our own time, and on to the second coming of Christ, accordingto Dan. 2:44. "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shallnever be destroyed."

Furthermore, note that the ten horns on the non-descript beast of Dan. 7:7, are crownless, but theones on the leopard beast of Rev. 13:1, have crowns. The symbol reveals that the horns on bothbeasts represent the same kings: Crownless on the first beast because those ten kings (horns) had nokingdom as yet before the fall of Rome. The fact that the leopard beast has the crowned horns is thathe comes on the stage of action after the fall of Rome, at which time these kings received theirkingdoms.

The little horn on the beast of Dan. 7:8, which came afterwards among the ten, and in place ofwhich three fell has been interpreted to be the papal head, from 538 A.D. to 1798, and which waswounded in the fifteenth century. The deadly wound brought about the division and multiplied thehead as pictured in Rev. 13:1. The six heads represent Protestantism, and the one which waswounded, Catholicism. The six Protestant, and the one Catholic head make the Biblical number"seven," meaning "complete" (all). The ten horns represent this present civilization under civil power;the heads are symbols of all Christendom.

This prophecy pictures the entire civilization which came out through the four universal empiresby the fall of Rome. But it cannot include other nations and peoples, for the makeup of the beast iscomposed only of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome, as previously explained. Had thenumber of horns been "seven," it would have the Biblical meaning (all), but since the number "ten"is used, all other are excluded.

However, the nations and peoples who are excluded by the symbol "ten," and also by thecomposition of the beast are not altogether

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left out, for the fall of the three horns on the beast of Dan. 7:8, left a balance of the Biblical number"seven." Thus the fall of the three kings; namely, the Heruli, Ostrogoths, and the Vandals gave thesignal for the present close union with the entire world by modern inventions. Therefore, theinfluence of the western civilization, both civil and religious (represented by the symbols,--horns andheads), involved the entire present civilization. Thus the symbolical prophecy has met its fulfillment.

The prophecy of Rev. 13:3, "And the world wondered after the beast," reveals a great apostasy. The Biblical number "seven" includes everything represented by the heads (riding on the beast andheaded by the devil). Note the name of blasphemy is upon all seven heads,--symbols of impiousreligious leaders, mocking the personality or authority of God, under the cloak of Christianity. Theintention of the complete satanic scheme is to deceive the whole world. The statement made byChrist is true, that he (Satan) will try to "deceive even the very elect [the 144,000] if it werepossible." The Spirit of Prophecy, speaking on this scripture, says: "This demon-worship wasrevealed to him [John], and it seemed to him as if the whole world were standing on the brink ofperdition. But as he looked with intense interest, he beheld the company of God'scommandment-keeping people." Volume 6, page 15.

We must not be surprised if we should see that we have not heretofore fully understood the truemeaning of the healing process. We repeat the definition of the verbs, being in the past tense: "as itwere wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after thebeast." It is evident that Inspiration foresaw that it would not be clearly understood until the divineprediction is fulfilled. The Spirit of Prophecy bears witness to this, by saying, "The mark of the beastis exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood, norwill it be understood until the unrolling of the scroll." Volume 6, page 17. If the scroll has made aturn, then only may we expect the truth to unmask the scripture.

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The exile of pope Pius VI, in 1798, and his death at Valence, France, August 19, 1799, is not thereceiving of the wound, no more than the death of any other pope before or after. It only fulfilledRev. 13:10,--"He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity." Also the great prophetic periodof the 1260 years of Dan. 7:25. Neither was the election of another pope the healing of the wound. It was only a sign of the deadly blow being accomplished. Just so with granting back civil power tothe pope in 1929, is not the thing which healed the wound, but only a sign that it has been healed.

Note carefully that the deadly wound was not inflicted by any one of the ten horns (like the littlehorn of Dan. 7:8, after which three fell). If any of the horns had inflicted the wound, it would indicatethat it was to be delivered by a civil power (thus Berthier could be credited for delivering the blow). But since the horns had nothing to do with the head, it is evident that the infliction came from withinthe head therefore Luther is the only one who can be credited for delivering the blow.

The exile of the pope in 1798, was only a sign of the material side of the wound showing that theblow had been delivered, but the spiritual side of the truth has been altogether overlooked. Had notthe head received the deadly wound by Martin Luther, the pope could not have been put in prison byBerthier, or by any other general, for before the sword was delivered, the pope reigned supreme. ButLuther's blow weakened his power, thus the continual infliction began to irritate the "head." Thisirritation continued until 1870, when finally the temporal power of the pope was taken away. Thatbeing the last irritation on the "head," it shows that it was left to heal its "deadly wound." The ideaestablished by Uriah Smith in "Daniel and Revelation" is correct as far as the material part isconcerned.

The election of a new pope (the material) gave a signal that the deadly wound was to be healed. What we are interested in most is the spiritual part of the lesson, which we shall briefly endeavor tobring out at this time. The reason this prophecy is brought to our

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attention in this chapter is to reveal the truth of the head which received the deadly wound. Note thatthe beast has "seven" heads; the "one" was wounded but the "six" are not. The head which receivedthe wound is being interpreted to be the papal head, wounded by "Martin Luther." The stroke beingdelivered by the true Biblical doctrine taught by Luther, the result was that Protestantism came onthe stage of action in opposition to the "head." This is what made the "wound." The statement beingtrue, then as long as Protestantism remains loyal to Bible principles, and the head in existence, thatsore (wound) would remain open. But if Protestantism should depart from their pledge "the Bible,and the Bible only," or refuse new light the wound would be healed, and the world would wonderafter the beast (apostasy).

The head that was wounded was not much troubled because a pope had fallen under the sod, norwill it ever be as long as another can fill his place. The only thing that has worried the head andannoyed the beast is true Protestantism. The devil knows it and the head knows it, but God's peoplehave allowed the old dragon to pull the wool over their eyes. Arise, brother! Arise, sister! Let notthe shrewd enemy deceive you from a crown of life at the eleventh hour!

Is the death of the pope far more important than the birth of Protestantism? Is the exile of the popeof greater honor than the seclusion in Wartburg Castle? Is Berthier a greater hero for pulling the barsagainst the prison gates than the humble monk who swung them open to throw in the once-exaltedpontiff? Has not the solidity of character, and stability of purpose, with faith in God, in the heavenlymessenger made all these possible? If Luther is the greatest, and his act far more glorious, whyshould Inspiration inscribe a prophecy for the exile and death of the pope, rather than the act ofLuther?

Why should Inspiration notice the taking away or restoring the temporal power of the pope, ratherthan the reclaim of the Bible, and the casting away of darkness? Has not God, by the hand of Luther,thrown asunder the doors of darkness, and caused light to shine on

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His written Word? Has not the faith and effort of this heavenly messenger ended the terriblepersecution and bloodshed of the saints of the Most High? The only rightful answer to all thesenumerous questions is: Luther's blow delivered the infliction on the head, and only true Protestantismcan keep that sore open.

In 1844, when the announcement was made of the fall of modern Babylon by the preaching of thesecond angel's message of Rev. 14:8, the wound would have been healed, for Babylon had fallen, andwould have brought about the fulfillment of, --"and all the world wondered after the beast." But"Seventh-day Adventists" came on the stage of action, thus keeping the thorn in the wound by beingproclaimed the only true Protestants since that time. This being so, then as long as Seventh-dayAdventists (as a body) remain true to the principles and doctrines which built this great movement,the wound cannot be healed, neither can it be said "all the world wondered after the beast."

As we have departed from the fundamentals,--strict obedience to God's Word, by which only canwe keep His commandments as true Adventists,--then we have left the divine foundation, andwondered after the beast. If the wound is healed, then we, as a people, have partaken of the spiritof the beast (world). As the exile of the pope was a signal of the infliction accomplished, just so thegranting of civil power to the pope in 1929, is a signal that true Protestantism has lost its power, thusthe world wondered after the beast.

This wholesale apostasy headed by self deceived religious leaders cannot be after the purificationof God's church, for that time is a time of harvest into which time the Gentiles of Isaiah 60, wouldbe converted to the church. Speaking of the glorious harvest time, the prophet says: "And theloftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: And the Lordalone shall be exalted in that day." Isa. 2:17. God's church would be exalted as prophesied by bothIsaiah 2, and Micah 4; read pages 173-81. Therefore, the harvest time cannot be a time of apostasyfor the church of God. If it was, God would have no church.

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The prophet Isaiah, referring to this time of spiritual darkness, says: "And in that day seven womenshall take hold of one man, saving, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: Only letus be called by thy name, to take away our reproach." It is an admitted fact that the women spokenof here represent churches. The Biblical number "seven" is used as a symbol, meaning "all," thereforethe symbol does not exclude any, but means "all." The Spirit of Prophecy bears witness to this bysaying the number "seven" indicates completeness. Acts of the Apostles, page 585. Naturally itwould include Seventh-day Adventists as well, otherwise it would not be "all." While these womenare refusing the instructions of Christ through His Word and His righteousness, symbolized by thebread and apparel, they wished to be called by His name (Christians), but while the world is on thebrink of perdition God immediately gets to work, and sets things in order, as foretold in the secondverse.

"In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shallbe excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel." Isa. 4:2. Note that this glorious promiseis for those that shall escape (Israel--the 144,000). This has no reference to the people in the world,but to those in God's church, for the third verse says, "he that is left in Zion, and he that remainethin Jerusalem, shall be called holy." The fourth verse gives us the time very definitely that it is the timeof the purification of His church, for it says: "When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of thedaughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spiritof judgment, and by the spirit of burning."

While the world has wondered after the beast, God has 144,000 who "have not bowed a knee toBaal." Though they seem to be lost without a shepherd, the arm of Omnipotence is watching overthem. In the statement previously quoted from Volume 6, page 15, speaking of the terrible apostasyeverywhere prevalent at this time, (in the sense that the world has wondered after the beast) says,"But as he [John] looked with intense interest, he beheld the company of

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God's commandment-keeping people [the 144,000]. They had upon their foreheads the seal of theliving God, and the faith of Jesus....And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessedare the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth." Note that after the sealing of the 144,000 therewould be some who would die in the Lord (saved), for the scripture reads "from henceforth,"meaning from the time this company was sealed.

The 144,000 are living saints, to be translated without seeing death. "The Lord has shut them in. Their destination is inscribed--GOD, NEW JERUSALEM." Testimonies to Ministers, page 446. Therefore, those who die "in the Lord" must be of those who are saved, after the separation (in thetime of harvest) under which Isa. 52:1 and Zeph. 3:13, are fulfilled. Those who die at that time areperhaps those who cannot stand the hardship while the judgments of God are falling upon the landin the time of the plagues. While God clears the way for the seven last plagues by laying some of Hispeople to sleep in the grave, He has done the same for the event to take place in 1931 (if that datebe correct). For we read in Isa. 57:1, "The righteous perisheth and no man layeth it to heart: Andmerciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil tocome."

Again, we call your attention to the past and future tense of the scripture; while Rev. 14:13, is infuture tense, Isa. 57:1, is in past. This being present truth, it is easy to see that we, at the presenttime, stand between these two scriptures. The predicted event for the purification of God's churchis by no means a small one. Those who cannot undergo the trial are laid in their graves, while144,000 remain and will escape, but the balance in the church (now) shall perish in the ruin. MayGod help His people.

To the prophet Isaiah, this great apostasy, fostered by blind spiritual guides, was revealed, whichhe describes in the following scriptures: "And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that therewas no intercessor: Therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustainedhim." Isa. 59:16. "And I

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looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: Therefore, mineown arm brought salvation unto me, and my fury, it upheld me." Isa. 63:5. Micah, looking forwardto this wholesale deception, says: "Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide." Micah7:5.

There has never been given so much light on any one prophetic event since the world began, as theLord has given on this particular subject that is set forth in this publication (the sealing of the144,000, and the slaughter in the church in connection with the harvest, though it has not all beenpublished). Therefore, it will leave the people without excuse. He who would neglect to make theneedful preparation for this most solemn event would be committing the unpardonable sin. To sucha one, that day is a fearful day. "Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: And because I will dothis unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel." Amos 4:12.

It would be of interest to note how perfectly God has portrayed our world by symbols. While thesix Protestant and the one Catholic head make the Biblical number "seven," meaning all Christendom,God has the same prophecy confirmed by the prophet Ezekiel, and carried out by the reformers sinceLuther's time; namely, Luther, Knox, Wesley, Campbell, Miller, and Sister White: These godly mensacrificed all in an effort to lead God's church back to her standard of purity. But as the shrewdenemy succeeded to pull down the first, he proceeded to use the same method to the last. These sixgreat reformers on the Protestant side established the six great denominations represented by the sixheads, and the Catholic church (the mother of Protestantism), the seventh, thus including allChristendom in her polluted state. For this reason Inspiration gave the Biblical number "seven." (Seethe prophecy by Ezekiel on pages 114-32.) We also have the "seven" churches of Revelation 2, and3,

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[Chart of Deadly Wound]PICTURE

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beginning with the church of Ephesus, and on through the ages to our time (Laodiceans). ThisBiblical number "seven" includes the entire church history in the antitypical period to the time of theseparation of the tares from the wheat, as foretold by Christ in Matt. 13:30. Number "seven" is usedto indicate the entire, or to the end of tares. See chart, page 224.

Though such great apostasy and blasphemy has gripped the world, God's church 144,000 innumber, scattered throughout the length and breadth of the earth without a shepherd, have not boweda knee to Baal. While Laodiceans are shaken out (spued) by destruction, God takes charge of theflock Himself. Thus, the church and the message will triumph to the victory. See Volume 6, page427, Testimonies to Ministers, page 300.

While the 430 year period which had to do with Israel in Egypt, and the 430 years of Ezekiel 4:5,6, run parallel in our time, this chart (His Deadly Wound Is Healed) shows that one overlaps theother. For, the forty days (years), in which time Ezekiel was to fast while lying on his right sidedenoted a spiritual hunger (as explained on page 125, and chart on page 133) began in 1890, andended in 1929. The application proves true by the event which took place on Feb. 11, 1929 (thehealing of the wound), it being a signal that the prophetic period had ended. It is also proven by thetruth that has come, for at the end of the forty days Ezekiel was to arise, and eat and be free. If theprophetic forty years had not ended, we could not have received the truth published in this book, butthe fact is that truth has come. Therefore, subtract from 1930, the forty prophetic years and you have1890, the time when the church began to decline. See chart on page 221.

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Summary Chart

Explanation Of Types

The intention and the purpose of this chart (on the following page) is to sum up both lessons(reform, and the 144,000). Through this chart we see a perfect harmony of what has been taught inthis publication. It also enables us to check up on this most vital subject. God, who is so particularfor the good of His church to reveal His truth to His people, has worked out most wonderful picturesof historical events. The evidence of everlasting love for Israel, His chosen, the first-fruits of Hisharvest. "The God of Jacob" for thousands of years in advance had laid His plans to present to Hispeople an art of divine touch in a beauty of perfection.

Said the Psalmist, "The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from therising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hathshined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: A fire shall devour before Him, and it shallbe very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, thatHe may judge his people. Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant withMe by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare His righteousness: For God is judge himself. Selah. Hear, O my people, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God." Psalm 50:1-7.

Old Testament (Section Two)

Speaking of section two in the summary chart, entitled "Patriarchate Types" is the section whichgave birth to the patriarchs (for this reason we have given it that title), whom God preordained to beas monuments, and sign posts as it were, and examples for His church in their appointed time, tofulfill the divine purpose. Monuments? Yes; more than monuments. Their voices thunder by echoes,and re-echoes, onward through the ages, and in our own time they are heard the loudest.

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[A SUMMARY CHART OF TYPES]PICTURE

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Section number three, entitled "Ceremonial Types" is the section which, by the Tabernacle servicein connection with the Sanctuary, has given us symbols of unmistakable, priceless lessons. Thoughthey originated many centuries ago, their sweet melodies of salvation from the Father's love, onwardthough the avenue by the human race, have reached our own time without the loss of a singlesounding note. These divinely appointed symbols were to reveal the Author of love to the humanfamily in all ages.

True, we have reached an age of great knowledge, but it seems to be only of lesser importance, andvery little in the knowledge of Him from whom all blessings come: In wisdom, knowledge, health,and strength to accomplish great things. Had not the people of God fallen into a drowsy, sleepy spell,many of these ancient symbols and types, with their true meaning of great importance to God'schurch, would have been revealed long ago. Much good could have been accomplished and theblessings derived from such knowledge cannot be estimated. While the world is making rapidprogress in human wisdom and wicked devices, God's people have made no great advancement forthe better in any line. For years we have been retracting from Him who is the Source of all truewisdom.

Old Testament (Section Three)

The types ordained in section two immediately began to meet their anti-types as soon as the exodusmovement gave way to section three. The passover night gave birth to this section (of ceremonialtypes). Hagar (the type) met anti-type which was celebrated and dedicated with greatdemonstrations, signs, and wonders. Said Paul, in Gal. 4:25, "For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia." Thus, Hagar became the symbolical mother of that church, with Abraham, the father after the flesh,and Ishmael, the symbol of the children from the stock of Abraham. The mother, the father, and thechild are the types of Israel after the flesh (perfect symbols, are they not?). Thus, three of the typesfrom section number two met anti-types in section three.

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While the passover lamb gave way to Hagar, (symbol of the church under the Jewish economy),it also celebrated the commencement of the ceremonial system, thus section number three became themother of the ceremonial types. The types themselves are not the true object, no more than aphotograph is, but it is a representation which pictures an unmistakable evidence, the object in view. The passover lamb is a perfect type of the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world"(John 1:29).

As the ceremonial section (number three) was ushered in by the typical passover lamb, it also closedwith the anti-typical. As type met anti-type, said the apostle, "for even Christ our passover issacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5:7), thus, the reign of Hagar as a symbol of the typical church (Israel afterthe flesh) closed at the cross of Calvary. The putting away of the Old Testament church and herchildren, is as well symbolized in section number two. Quoting Gal. 4:29-31, "But as then he thatwas born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Neverthelesswhat saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: For the son of the bondwoman shallnot be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman,but of the free."

It is evident that Salvation is preached in types as well as by the word. There is a type for everychurch event and transaction in connection with the gospel of Christ. The termination of these typesclosed the typical, and ushered in the anti-typical period under which time every type must meet itsanti-type.

While the parentage of the Old Testament church is "after the flesh," the New is of the Spirit,therefore Sarah became the symbol of the entire anti-typical period. Paul, writing to this church said,"For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not, break forth and cry, thou that travailest not:For the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband." Abraham is the husband,and an earthly spiritual instead of a fleshly father. As there are three symbolical sections beforeChrist, there are also three after

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Christ. Abraham's children by Sarah (Isaac and Jacob), being born by promise, are fitting symbolsfor the New Testament church.

New Testament (Section One)

As Isaac was the firstborn "after the spirit," naturally he must represent the first section, beginningat the cross of Christ. Quoting the words of Paul, he says, "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are thechildren of promise." Gal. 4:28. Isaac, then, represents that section from the cross to 1844, as therehas been no other call before. The commencement of each previous section as well as theircompletion was marked by an important event; just so with the termination of the section representedby Isaac. 1844, is the only fitting time for that section to pass away and usher in the second, at whichtime the judgment in the heavenly Sanctuary began. Evidently the scroll had to make a turn, andagain type met anti-type.

New Testament (Section Number Two)

Jacob, being the son of Isaac, naturally comes next in line. Jacob, then, is the symbol of the secondsection after Christ (as shown on the chart) beginning in 1844. The aim of the church since that timehas been to make the 144,000. As Jacob was the father of the twelve tribes of Israel,--the type; justso he is the father in type of the anti-type (the 144,000,--the true). The section represented by Jacobis the only fitting symbolical period to give birth to the 144,000. As soon as this number is made andsealed, this particular section is to pass away and usher in the next.

As there was an important event with each succeeding section (at the close of the one, andbeginning of the other), there must be something of no lesser consequence that would make thechange of this section with which we have identified ourselves. That important event is none otherthan the purification of God's church, and the separation of the tares from the wheat. Said Jesus, "Letboth grow together until the harvest." The separation will mark the harvest. Note the verb "until,"meaning "up to." This most solemn time

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for the one class (the tares), and glorious for the other (the 144,000), thrusts out the sectionrepresented by Jacob, and forwards the other.

New Testament (Section Number Three)

Said Jesus, "in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, andbind them in bundles to burn them." The tares, therefore, are gathered just prior to the harvest, andburned in the time of the harvest (for note the prefix "in"). "But gather the wheat into My barn."Matt. 13:30. The wheat represents the 144,000; the "barn" is a symbol of security. This gloriouscompany is saved and protected. Satan cannot harm them. They are to be translated without seeingdeath. John describes them as "being the firstfruits [of the harvest] unto God and the Lamb."

The tares are taken away by the five men with the slaughter weapons of Ezekiel's vision. This isthe event that makes the change, and brings about God's church, in the last probationary section(Israel), as shown on the chart.

It was Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes, whose name was changed to Israel. Jacob's new nameis a fitting symbol of the section entitled "Israel." Thus again would type meet anti-type.

It was Jacob, who, in the night, on the way to Padan-Aram had the dream of the great ladder whichreached from earth to heaven, and "the angels of God ascended and descended upon it." This visionwas a representation of the "Latter Rain," and the "Loud Cry" of the third angel's message in the timeof harvest. The ladder, representing Christ; the angels, the messengers; God the Father at one end,and Jacob at the other, meaning a complete connection with heaven and earth.

Though the duration of this last section of probationary time (entitled Israel), is shorter than anyof the periods before it, it is to be the most glorious time of God's church. The prophet Isaiah,looking forward to this time, says, "Awake, awake; put on thy

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strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shallno more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean." Never before this time in view, hasGod's church kept entirely free from the unconsecrated and unconverted (tares: uncircumcised andunclean) in the midst of her, but now the time has come where He must purify His church and keepher as such. Zephaniah, referring to this time, says, "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, norspeak lies." Zephaniah 3:13.

During this time of "harvest" (the Loud Cry), the third angel's message shall penetrate to theremotest parts of this sin-cursed world. John, pointing to this glorious harvest of ingathering, says,"I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, andpeople, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, andpalms in their hands." Rev. 7:9. God "Will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness." Rom.9:28. Thus God's church will be made ready to meet her Lord. Isaiah, looking forward to this churchreflecting "the Divine", says, "Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royaldiadem in the hand of thy God." Isa. 62:3. Glorious is God's church in the day of the Lord.

John, after seeing in vision the finishing work of the church, close of probation, and the judgmentsof God in the seven last plagues, says, "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, fromwhose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them." Rev. 20:11.

Old Testament (Section One) Melchizedek, King Of Salem

The first main section in the chart entitled "Melchizedek" we have reserved for explanation untilnow. Note the following two main sections entitled "Hagar" and "Sarah" are the sections of churchhistory with earthly parentage, the first being "after the flesh," and the second "after the Spirit,"therefore, Hagar and Sarah

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are fitting symbols for these two main sections, with Abraham as the father. These two sections("Hagar" and "Sarah") are unlike the first ("Melchizedek, King of Salem") which has none of thesesymbolical terms. It is a section of church history without earthly symbolical parentage.

In order to meet the divine standard of perfection, both in symbols as well as in figures, for theentire history of God's church, He must provide a fitting symbol for this particular section as He hasprovided for the two succeeding sections. Whatever that symbol is, it must be the kind to indicatechurch history without earthly parentage.

Paul gives us the information of the fitting symbol for this section in Heb. 7:1-3,--"For thisMelchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from theslaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first beingby interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life;but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." Though we mortals can notcomprehend the existence of this man "Melchizedek, King of Salem," it must be true that he is"without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor ending oflife," thus making a perfect-fitting symbol of that section of God's church. Again we see God'sperfection in perfect symbols for the entire history of His church.

As soon as sin entered in the beginning with the parents of the human family, and before they weredriven out from their Eden home, the plans already devised for the return to their original home ofeternal abode were made known to them as well as to the serpent. These pre-ordained plans of Godare better understood by studying His wonderful divine dealings with the human family onwardthrough the ages as pictured in this chart.

Our God has carried out His predestined plans without variation even to the minutest of details. Said Jesus, "These are the

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words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which werewritten in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning Me." Luke 24:44. TheSpirit of God led the Psalmist to inscribe the words, "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength outof Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies....The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thouart a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." Psalm 110:2, 4.

Though we cannot comprehend such infinite wisdom, it gives us better understanding of God's lovefor sinners, and our misconception of so-called human knowledge of things. To the eternal "I AM,"who inhabits eternity, before whom the darkness is light, and the remotest boundaries in space Hisfootstool, who sees the end from the beginning, and to whom a thousand years are but as yesterday,all things are open and naked unto Him.

Said the Psalmist, "Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there. If I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I takethe wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand leadme, and Thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the nightshall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: Thedarkness and the light are both alike to Thee....Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high,I cannot attain unto it." Psalm 139:7-12, 6. The wisdom and knowledge of the infinite is beyondcomprehension by the finite. The wonders we behold and the events which make the history of ourworld are but duplicates from the blueprints in heaven.

How To Check Up Contents Presented, If Authentic

"Which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost whether hehave sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it,all that behold it begin to mock him." Luke 14:28, 29. The

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lesson that can be derived from this scripture is that he who does not check up on his plans andfigures is not a wise man, therefore, it would not be wrong for us to suppose that Jesus wants us tocheck up on Bible truths before we accept them as such.

As God is infallible, all His works spell "perfection" even to "one jot or one tittle." The statementbeing true, He should have provided a way whereby we may check up and ascertain His truth. Thischart (page 224), being the summary of the message this publication bears, should be able to tellwhether it proves correct or not. If its contents prove 100% true, we must accept it as God's truth. By all Bible students, numbers "three" and "seven" are accepted to be the Biblical numbers toascertain Scriptural truths. The Spirit of Prophecy bears witness to this as well as the Bible. "Forthere are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: And these threeare one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: Andthese three agree in one." 1 John 5:7, 8.

"In the revelation given to him there was unfolded scene after scene of thrilling interest in theexperience of the people of God, and the history of the church was foretold to the very close of time. In figures and symbols, subjects of vast importance were presented to John, which he was to record,that the people of God living in his age and in future ages might have an intelligent understanding ofthe perils and conflicts before them." Acts of the Apostles, page 583. This being so, we shall applythe test on the contents of this book, as pictured in the chart.

Note that there are "three" main sections in the summary chart: namely, (1 ) Melchizedek, the priestof the Most High God; (2) Hagar; (3) Sarah. (I) Melchizedek priest of the Most High God, (II) theLevitical priesthood (III) the priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. Therefore, one priesthoodlinks with another. Now count the sub-sections of probationary time in both before the cross andafter. In each division we have "three" sub-sections. Again, count all the sections in both before andafter the cross, including

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the plagues, and we have the number "seven," meaning the end of the world.

Permit us to call your attention this third time to the types. I. The parent types; namely, Abraham(the father); Hagar and Sarah (the mothers) making the number "3." II. The children:--Ishmael, Isaac,and Jacob, making the number "3." III. Jacob's name changed to Israel, Hagar and Ishmael sent awayagain making the number "3." There is a fourth line of figures to call your attention to. The name"Abraham" contains "seven" letters, meaning complete, or a father for the entire future history of thechurch. Ishmael also has "7" letters; finished, or ended; meaning he is through; there are none of hisdescendants to succeed him.

Abraham's name at the time he was called out of Ur (before God added the two extra letters--H andA) spelled with five letters: (Abram). His son, Isaac, and his wives all have the same number ofletters in their names. Naturally the question arises, why five? Why not three or seven? Had theirnames more or less than "5" letters, the picture would have been spoiled. Why? Because the "7"letters of Abraham and the "5" of Hagar make "12" in all,--a symbol of the twelve tribes of Israel afterthe flesh. Sarah and Abraham also number "12," meaning the twelve tribes of Israel after the Spirit. The same holds good with Isaac and Jacob, also meaning consecutive (one shall succeed the other).

Israel is spelled with six letters. Had this name been more or less it would spoil the picture. Why? Because the six letters indicate the sixth section. Israel the true (the 144,000) are sealed at the closeof the fifth section. Had the name been of seven letters, it would denote "close of probation," insteadof "beginning of harvest." Israel, in the time of harvest, will receive a new name by the mouth of theLord. Read Isa. 62:2. Whatever that name may be, we are sure it will be perfect, to finish the pictureof probationary time, as well as to indicate the end of all the redeemed, or close of probation. Woeto him who may think all these wonderful designs in the beauty

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of perfection are just a chance, or an accident. Such a one is denying the Master Mechanic of allcreation. He is paying homage to evolution (chance). See chart on page 224.

The second system of checking up on truth is given by Isaiah, the prophet. "To the law and to thetestimony: If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20. The contents in this publication are not only in perfect harmony with the text, but it does "exalt" thelaw and the testimony as well as all the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy.

Third:--The message presented here does not bring any new doctrines, or contradict the ones wehave, but it does magnify them by showing their true magnitude and importance. Neither does it callfor a new movement but it proves that this same movement would merge into a greater one.

As God foresaw all movements that would arise against, or for His church, He would have pointedout this message either as being false, or true. He foresaw that some movement would arise andclaim that the church is "Babylon," so gave us the warning that it was false. Read Testimonies toMinisters, pages 49, 53. Again, God foresaw that some will come and call the ministry "priestcraft,"and forewarned us that they are not sent from Him. Read Testimonies to Ministers, page 51. He alsoforesaw that some will announce the "day and the hour for the second coming of Christ," etc. Thus,God has forewarned the church all the way. Nowhere do we find any prophecy in contradictionagainst the message presented in this book. It is impossible to find opposition, seeing the entiremessage is derived from the Bible and the Testimonies, and predicted by them both.

If any should think this message for reformation is false, while he cannot find prophecy against it,would be saying, God has overlooked the danger and has failed to expose the scheme. Therefore,such a one means to say that God knows but little in predicting the future. But the matter of fact isthat God knows it all from the

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beginning to the end. Thus, He has been able to present a message of warning such as this to Hispeople inscribed in advance for thousands of years.

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Micah Six And Seven

Prophecy Of The Book, Time Due For Publication

The studies that comprise this volume were first typewritten into a book in manuscript form, whichwas entitled "The Shepherd's Rod." Thirty-three such copies were given to the leading men(ministerial association) of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination,--brethren of experience,ministers and conference presidents. This was done in order to comply with the instructions givento the church by the Spirit of God. We quote from Volume 5, page 293: "There are a thousandtemptations in disguise prepared for those who have the light of truth, and the only safety for any ofus is in receiving no new doctrine, no new interpretation of the Scriptures, without first submittingit to brethren of experience. Lay it before them in a humble, teachable spirit with earnest prayer; andif they see no light in it, yield to their judgment; for 'in the multitude of counselors there is safety'."

Though the contents of this book introduces no new doctrines or new interpretation of scripturesthat have been accepted by the denomination and divinely approved, we thought it best to submit thislight to the ministry first.

These studies were presented in manuscript form to the leaders of this great movement for theirinspection while assembled in a General Conference session in San Francisco, Calif., of 1930. It wasdone with an earnest pleading by the author of the said document. Requesting our dear brethren toinvestigate the contents in the said article by a close scrutiny, earnest prayer, and faith in Him whois merciful and more willing that we should know that truth of our salvation than we are ourselves;who would reveal His word to all His children and unmask error for the good on both sides.

This appeal was made to God's servants with the request that they should ascertain the new lightby God's book of all truth, and whatever their finding or intention with the article, to write us in a

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brotherly way as searchers for light. This they promised to do at their earliest possible convenience,being assured that whatever truth or error they could prove, by either Bible, or the Spirit of Prophecy,we were ready to accept. We felt certain that they, as shepherds of the flock, would have beenearnest to do the right in the fear of the Lord. If they thought we were lead into error, we expectedthem as guardians of God's heritage to come to our assistance by the Word of God.

Since the document was placed in their hands, and at the time this publication goes to press, overfive months have passed by. We now feel they have had ample time to at least write and give us someinformation in regards to the manuscript and their intention. The elapse of time is an evidence thatour brethren have failed to carry out their promise as well as their duty. Evidently these ministers ofGod and leaders of this great denomination must have overlooked the instructions respecting mattersof this kind as given them by the Spirit of Prophecy. "If a brother is teaching error, those who arein responsible positions ought to know it; and if he is teaching truth, they ought to take their standat his side. We should all know what is being taught among us; for if it is truth, we need to know it."Testimonies to Ministers, page 110.

If they have complied with the requirement quoted above, by an earnest searching in the documentpresented to them, and found error, their duty is, as representatives of Him who left the ninety-nineand went in search of the one lost sheep, to call on the writer either in person, or by correspondenceseeking to make reconciliation for the erring one. Quoting Volume 6, pages 21, 22: "One soul is ofmore value to heaven than a whole world of property, houses, lands, money."

On the other hand, if they found no error, and yet refuse to make known their intention, even aftermaking the second and the third appeal to our local conference then it is perhaps that they wish tofulfill the following prophecy as found in Testimonies to Ministers, pages 106, 107. "But beware ofrejecting that which is truth. The

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great danger with our people has been that of depending upon men, and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence,have confidence in the leading men, and accept the decisions they make; and thus many will reject thevery messages God sends to His people, if these leading brethren do not accept them.

"No one should claim that he has all the light there is for God's people. The Lord will not toleratethis. He has said, 'I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.' Even if all ourleading men should refuse light and truth, that door will still remain open. The Lord will raise up menwho will give the people the message for this time....

"Suppose a brother held a view that differed from yours, and he should come to you, proposing thatyou sit down with him and make an investigation of that point in the Scriptures; should you rise up,filled with prejudice, and condemn his ideas, while refusing to give him a candid hearing? The onlyright way would be to sit down as Christians, and investigate the position presented, in the light ofGod's word, which will reveal truth and unmask error. To ridicule his ideas would not weaken hisposition in the least if it were false, or strengthen your position if it were true. If the pillars of ourfaith will not stand the test of investigation, it is time that we knew it. There must be no spirit ofPharisaism cherished among us."

We deeply regret that we should make public this great neglect on the part of our brethren, andtheir disinterest in the things of God. As a matter of duty on our part, and love for our brethren, andthe church of God, we found no solution whereby to avoid publicity of the things written in thischapter, and yet guard against misunderstanding of our attitude in giving out the book. Not that wewish to shun reproach against ourselves, but for the security of God's church wishing to defend thosewho may be exposed to the attacks of captious critics. Again we quote from Testimonies toMinisters, pg. 300:

"Unless those who can help in------are aroused to a sense of

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their duty, they will not recognize the work of God when the loud cry of the third angel shall beheard. When light goes forth to lighten the earth, instead of coming up to the help of the Lord, theywill want to bind about His work to meet their narrow ideas. Let me tell you that the Lord will workin this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will becontrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control thework of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under thedirection of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will useways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workerswill be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work ofrighteousness. Those who are accounted good workers will need to draw nigh to God, they will needthe divine touch."

Seeing the danger approaching as revealed in "The Shepherd's Rod," we have anxiously waited allthese months with the fear that we may wait too long, and thereby fail to sound the alarm as well asto go ahead with the sound of the trumpet before we hear from our brethren. While waiting andpraying, a certain scripture was revealed to us, found in Micah 6, which we now bring forth to provethat God has spoken to His people by the written word, giving us the instruction to go ahead withoutdelay and give the trumpet that certain sound.

Though the book of this minor prophet was written many centuries ago, it was intended for thechurch now, at this very time. It was placed in the Bible (scroll) in the days of ancient Israel, writtenin such a way that they, too, could gain some profit by it the same as other portions of scriptures thatwere written directly to the ancient nation and placed in the same scroll for our learning andadmonition as expressed in 1 Cor. 10:11, by the great apostle to the Gentiles. But though certainportions of the Scriptures were written as

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an epistle to ancient Israel, they also would refer to us indirectly, as this advent organization beinga duplicate of that ancient movement. However, the book of Micah is written directly to the churchat this present time.

Quoting Micah 6:1: "Hear ye now what the Lord saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains,and let the hills hear thy voice." It is a fact that the prophecy of this chapter has never before beenunderstood at any time, and no one has ever profited much from it, only whatever lesson from acertain passage may have been derived in connection with some other study. The question may beasked, Why has it not been understood? Is it that no one ever tried to study out this part of theScriptures? Doubtless many godly, earnest students have spent much valuable time without anyresults as far as revealing the truth of the chapter.

The reason for their failure to unmask the prophecy is because it is in present tense. "Hear ye nowwhat the Lord saith, Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice." Fromthis fact, we know that inspiration never expected that it should be revealed before the time intended,otherwise it would have been grammatically incorrect. In the same manner as Rev. 14:7, "Fear God,and give glory to Him; for the hour of his judgment is come." Had this scripture been in future tense,William Miller would not have made the mistake as to the event that was to transpire in 1844. Hewho controls the Scriptures evidently did not intend to reveal the truth until after the judgment hourhad begun in 1844. The same rule is to be observed in all Bible truths to establish authoritatively aparticular prophetic time.

We have previously stated that this truth came through the Sabbath School department in 1929, inthe lessons of the first quarter of that year, beginning with Isaiah 54 to the 66th chapter inclusive. The 54th was the first to reveal that these chapters were written directly to the church at this verytime as explained on pages 136-40. In Isa. 58:1 we learned that God is to reveal the existing sins inthe

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church, and thereby call for reformation. We quote the verse: "Cry aloud, spare not lift up thy voicelike a trumpet, and shew My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."

This scripture now has met its fulfillment. After these existing sins were revealed, these studieswere put into writing, the document being entitled "The Shepherd's Rod," and placed in the hands ofthe leading men of this movement. Thus the "Cry" like a "trumpet" is being sounded. The evidenceof the existing sins being made known (shown) to God's people and to the house of Jacob, alsoshowing that Laodiceans have neglected the invitations of the True Witness, therefore, the shame ofour nakedness has appeared. "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest berich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do notappear, and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Rev. 3:18.

Now we quote Isa. 60:1, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen uponthee." Note the verb "come" is in present tense. "Light" is truth. This scripture as well met itsfulfillment. Think of the wonderful light that has come through those studies as gathered in thispublication. Note that it does not contradict the truth the church already has, but it reveals its truemagnitude and importance of the message. But this is only a part of the light that has come throughthose precious chapters. More light will soon follow in another publication.

The call is, "Arise, shine."...for "the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." It is left to the reader topermit this glorious experience to enter first in his own life, and earnestly arise and shine be ready tomeet the opposition from within and without. "God s displeasure is upon his people, and he will notmanifest his power in the midst of them while sins exist among them, and are fostered by those inresponsible positions. Those who work in the fear of God to rid the church of hindrances, and tocorrect grievous wrongs, that the people of God may see the necessity of abhorring sin, and mayprosper in

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purity, and that the name of God may be glorified, will ever meet with resisting influences from theunconsecrated." Volume 3, pages 270, 271.

Coming back to Micah 6:1, "Hear ye now what the Lord saith." Note the verb "hear" is in presenttense, therefore present truth. But what are we to hear? "Arise, contend thou before the mountains,and let the hills hear thy voice." "The mountains" means the same as in Micah 4:1, first part. Theonly difference between the two is that the latter is singular, but the former is plural. The "mountain"in chapter 4, means God's church (denomination) as explained on page 173, but the "mountains andhills" as in chapter 4:1 (last part) and 6:1, being in plural would mean churches and organizations. In this sense it could not refer to God's church, for He recognizes only one church as His. Also "thehills" being plural would mean sects, or minor movements, etc.

"Let them hear thy voice." The thought that can be derived is this: Our leading men are eithertaking too long a time, or perhaps never intend to do anything with the new light presented to themin "The Shepherd's Rod," therefore, wait no longer, "Arise now, contend before the mountains, andlet the hills hear thy voice" (make it public). This being so, we were compelled to publish the bookand give it out without delay.

But what are the mountains to hear? What will He contend about? The answer is given in thesecond verse. "Hear ye, O mountains, the Lord's controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth:For the Lord hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel." Note they are to hearthat the Lord has a controversy with His people, and He will plead with Israel (the 144,000, Israelthe true). But how are they to hear? What are the means to carry that voice to the mountains andhills? The answer to this is found in the ninth verse.

"The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: Hear ye the rod,and who hath appointed it." Micah 6:9. Note it is the Lord's voice. The voice is crying in the

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"city." (City, or Jerusalem are symbols of God's church the same as "mountain," the differencebetween the symbols being that "mountain" means the entire denomination, but "city" means theleading part of that body.) By what means is the Lord's voice crying in the city (church)? The lastpart of the verse answers the question: "Hear ye the rod." To hear a rod, it must be the kind that canspeak.

The only rod God's people have ever been asked to hear is this "Shepherd's Rod." At the time wegave the name to this book, we knew nothing about the prophecies in the book of Micah, neither didwe know this passage was there. We mean to say it is not any of our knowledge of this particularscripture that compelled us to name the book by that title, but we feel it was done by the same divineprovidence that brought about the entire truth, in order to fulfill the scripture. See also explanationon page 95, under the heading "The Shepherd's Rod."

Again, note "The men of wisdom shall see thy name." The wisdom mentioned is not that which theworld can give, but a heavenly one. Douay version reads as follows: "And salvation [wisdom] shallbe to them that fear [see] thy name: hear, O ye tribes." The same thought is brought over in theseventh chapter, verse 14. "Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwellsolitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days ofold." "Feed thy people with thy rod:" The verb "feed" is to be understood as spiritual food, and thatfood (truth) is found in the "Rod," therefore we again have the command to give out the book ("Feedthy [God's] people)." Carmel, Bashan, and Gilead are used as symbols of good spiritual pasture. These places are where Israel had their victories. Mount Carmel is where Elijah had his experiencewith the backslidden Israel in the days of Ahab. It was in Carmel where he (Elijah) brought the firefrom heaven which consumed the sacrifice upon the altar, after which he slew the prophets of Baal.

We quote Micah 7:15: "According to the days of thy coming out

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of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvelous things." Note that Micah also as well as Isaiah,declares that God's people (spiritual Israel) are to experience an experience similar to that of theExodus movement, as explained in Section 4. Again, note in carrying out the Exodus movement,God said to Moses, "And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs....andMoses took the rod of God in his hand." Ex. 4:17, 20. It was by the power in the "rod of God" thatIsrael came out of Egypt. This advent movement being a duplicate of the one in Egypt, and of theExodus, we again have "the rod of God."

It is wonderful to note the inspiration of the Scriptures. Perfect they are when their appointed timeis come. Only at such an occasion are the Scriptures grammatically correct. We can not take up theentire chapters at this present time, but with the information already given, one can mark out themeaning of every verse with a little studious effort on his part. Read the sixth and seventh chaptersand note that past, present, and future tense are in perfect grammatical order when the events areproperly understood. Observe the same rule in Micah the fourth chapter as explained on pages173-81. This is one of the rules to detect present truth. It would be impossible for us to publish inthis volume all of the light that has come to us through these studies, but we hope to have them soonin another volume.

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The Duty--Who Receives The Truth

IT is evident that the message presented in this publication is not a message to create a newmovement, but a message for a change to true godliness. Calling God's people back to His precepts,commandments, and statutes by a strict obedience to His Word to prepare us to meet our God andescape the ruin.

In the days of ancient Israel, God's people departed a number of times from His divine plan, whichmade it necessary for Him to send messages of warning by His servants, the prophets. These solemnwarnings were hardly ever heeded by the ancient nation. Nevertheless those faithful servants of Godperformed their duty with great care. Though their lives were at stake, their message of loveunappreciated, were cruelly abused by the once chosen people. Those faithful servants of God darednot start a movement of their own. Their duty was to deliver the message, and leave the results withHim who is able to handle the situation. Thus it will be now. "There will be a series of eventsrevealing that God is master of the situation." Volume 9, page 96.

Those who receive this message are to arise from their spiritual feebleness to true godly repentance. They are to arise quietly, but openly, to present the truth to their brothers and sisters in the church,with zeal and earnestness in the fear of the Lord doubting nothing, leaving the results with God.

"When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warnthe wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thinehand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from hisway, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Therefore, O thou son of man,speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us,and we pine away in them, how should we then live?" Eze. 33:8-10.

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The Spirit of Prophecy, speaking in view of the events predicted in this publication says, "Thosewho walk in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet,unconcerned expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter hispeople in the day of visitation. Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to labor diligentlyto save others, looking with strong faith to God for help." Volume 5, page 209.

"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, andthe house of Jacob their sins." Isa. 58:1.

Objections That May Arise

Since all who had a message of truth had to suffer persecution in ages past, it must be expectednow. The enemy of all righteousness, by the human tool in the garb of religion, has opposed God'struth in every step of the way. The death of Abel by the cruel hands of his brother, Cain, was a signalto all followers of truth that persecution was to arise against them by their own brothers in the church. Thus, it has been up to our own day.

The shrewd enemy is too wise to oppose truths and doctrines already accepted to be true, but hewill lead men to neglect the principles upon which that truth was established, and step by step supplythe lack with human wisdom, thus leading the church into spiritual darkness. Ministers in this stateof spiritual condition cannot discern the importance of strict obedience to God's Word. Theircongregation is made to feel that their Christian experience is excellent, and the people are lead totrust in human wisdom (accept their decision), instead of searching truth for themselves, with faithin God. "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, andwhose heart departeth from the Lord." Jer. 17:5.

Membership is granted to most all who wish to join the church with but little investigation as totheir faith and acceptance of the entire truth. Thus, the unconsecrated of heart creep into the church

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and by their influence lead others to sin. This continual practice rapidly increases the number of theunfaithful, while the devoted followers of Christ grow fewer and fewer. When light of truth comes,and a call for reformation, the leaders, being blinded with spiritual darkness, rise against the heavenlycall. Declaring they have all the truth, and are in need of none, though down in their heart they knowit is God's truth, they condemn the message and the messenger like ancient Israel, because it reprovestheir ungodly deeds. The unconsecrated in heart do not care to investigate for themselves, but acceptthe decisions of the leaders. The result is that the faithful few are thrown out by a majority vote,while the old devil triumphs with victory. This is especially true in our time, beginning with theLutheran church, and up the line. William Miller and Miss Harmon were treated in like manner. Godallowed this continual practice of robbing God's people of their church properties, and forcing themto start a new movement, but He will not allow it now.

Speaking of the opposition Luther was compelled to encounter, the Spirit of Prophecy says, "In thepower of the Holy Spirit he cried out against the existing sins of the leaders of the church; and as hemet the storm of opposition from the priests, his courage failed not; for he firmly relied upon thestrong arm of God, and confidently trusted in Him for victory." Early Writings, page 223. "As theopposition rises to a fiercer height, the servants of God are again perplexed; for it seems to them thatthey have brought the crisis. But conscience and the Word of God assure them that their course isright; and although the trials continue, they are strengthened to bear them." Great Controversy, page610. Said Jesus, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say allmanner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: For great is yourreward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matt. 5:11, 12. Note:--The prophets were persecuted, and not the priests.

When the truth is told in clear lines it will reveal sin and condemn

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the guilty conscience of the sinner. Though the messenger, to the exposure of persecution andscoffing, even endangering his life, declares the truth with love to save, the sinner will often ariseagainst a friend of his soul. Said the prophet "Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way toturn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thysoul." Eze. 33:9.

The following accusations may be raised and are expected to be met. Some may say, You arespeaking evil, finding fault, and bringing accusations. But the matter of fact is that he who bears amessage from heaven to a guilty sinner cannot be charged with any of the above-stated charges. Theresponsibility is not his who bears the message, but God's, who sends the message. He who speaksevil against the messenger is speaking evil against God to his own hurt.

Some may say, You are not ordained to the ministry, and it is not your business, but He who hasa message does not have to be ordained by the hands of men to deliver the message no more than didAmos. He who sends the message is greater than he who is ordained by the hands of men. Amoswas only a herdsman, but when God called him, and charged him with a message to deliver to kingsand priests of ancient Israel, he declined not but obeyed the voice of God and delivered the message. (Amos 1:1). Is God bound by the strings of men? Jeremiah also was only a child when God calledhim. Though he thought himself incapable to bear the responsibility the Lord said, "Say not, I am achild: For thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak."Jer. 1:7.

Men who think their office puts them in the place of Moses and Aaron are making a great mistake. Such men cannot be either one of them. No man can take the place of Moses for he is neither deadnor dumb. The Bible is Moses. Jesus said, "Let them hear Moses and the prophets." Aaron is a typeof Christ, therefore, he who thinks he is in the place of those two great leaders is throwing aside theauthority of the Bible, and Christ the Priest. He who would

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claim such authority is placing himself in the position of Korah. See Numbers 16; and 26:10. Andthe end thereof shall be a bitter end.

Dear brethren and sisters --We beg of you in the name of Christ your Saviour, be true to God aswere His great men in the ages past. We call your attention to Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, andAbednego. Think of how firm these men stood for true religious principle to please God. Theyrisked their lives, but refused to blow to idolatry. As God rewarded them for their faith, He willreward you with life that will measure with the life of God. Refuse to stumble over the stumblingblocks of others. We refer you to the experience of nominal Christians in the early advent movement,as recorded in the writings by the Spirit of Prophecy. We quote from Great Controversy, page 380:

"But the churches generally did not accept the warning. Their ministers, who, as 'watchmen untothe house of Israel,' should have been the first to discern the tokens of Jesus' coming, had failed tolearn the truth, either from the testimony of the prophets or from the signs of the times. As worldlyhopes and ambitions filled the heart, love for God and faith in His word had grown cold; and whenthe advent doctrine was presented, it only aroused their prejudice and unbelief. The fact that themessage was, to a great extent, preached by laymen, was urged as an argument against it. As of old,the plain testimony of God's word was met with the inquiry 'Have any of the rulers or of the Phariseesbelieved?' And finding how difficult a task it was to refute the arguments drawn from the propheticperiods, many discouraged the study of the prophecies, teaching that the prophetic books weresealed, and were not to be understood. Multitudes, trusting implicitly to their pastors, refused tolisten to the warning; and others, though convinced of the truth, dared not confess it, lest they shouldbe 'put out of the synagogue.' The message which God had sent for the testing and purification ofthe church, revealed all too surely how great was the number who had set their affections on thisworld rather than upon Christ. The ties which

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bound them to earth were stronger than the attractions heavenward. They chose to listen to the voiceof worldly wisdom, and turned away from the heart-searching message of truth."

Said Jesus, "remember Lot's wife." Escape for your life for the elements used on Sodom are to beused in this wicked world at the present time. Compare this message with the Bible and theTestimonies. Do not consent to the decisions of others, but study for yourself. "When a message ispresented to God's people, they should not rise up in opposition to it; they should go to the Bible,comparing it with the law and the testimony, and if it does not bear this test, it is not true."Testimonies to Ministers, page 119.

No one should fear or be backward to declare this message right from the Seventh-day Adventistpulpit, for it is pure Seventh-day Adventist doctrine, calling God's people back to the principles uponwhich this great denomination was established. Some will object and try to put a stop to it while theycan not explain the Scriptures in another way. But he who takes the burden to carry the message,must insist and be faithful to conduct his studies.

In the days of Christ His disciples stood firm to their right and declared the risen Saviour in thetemple. The spiritually-blinded guides ordered them out, but they came back again, and again thiswas repeated, until the impious Pharisees threw them in jail. By a miracle they were let out andimmediately they returned to the temple, and again preached the supposedly strange doctrine in spiteof the opposition. Such persistence as this to save their brothers and sisters from the impendingdoom is called by the enemies of Christ "rebellion," even using Scripture to prove their accusationstrue. But the matter of fact is, he who is persistent to perform his duty to his God, for the good ofhis brethren, is not the guilty one. He who would resent the message from heaven is a rebel in thesight of the great God. The office or position of such a one does not clear him any more than itcleared the proud Pharisee in the rabbinical cloak. Though some may point to his own office ofauthority it will not excuse him, neither will it condemn the messenger of God. Many

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other excuses and charges will be presented, but he who does the service of the Most High need notbe distracted in any way, but go forward in his duty with faith in God to save his brethren from theimpending doom. The Spirit of Prophecy, in view of this message says: "Should a case like Achan'sbe among us, there are many who would accuse those who might act the part of Joshua in searchingout the wrong, of having a wicked, fault-finding spirit." Volume 3, p. 270.

In case some one's name should be taken off the church books for carrying on the message, do notbe discouraged in any way but press onward as though nothing has happened. Pay your honest titheand offering to your church, and feel like "IT IS" your Father's house. Continue your work of reformwith as many as you can possibly interest. Your membership on the church books is only a churchrecord and the only loss or damage one can suffer from the absence of one's name on such record isthat he can not serve as an officer, or have anything to say in matters of church business. Those whoare looking for the soon coming of Christ do not wish to serve in office, if their service is not desiredby the church. Those who push themselves forward to obtain such a position show their motive tobe wrong, and that their heart is not right with God. To retain your name on the church book at theexpense of principle would not take you to heaven, neither would the absence of it from such a recordbar you from the Holy City.

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings that publishethpeace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy Godreigneth!" Isa. 52:7.

"Many are tempted in regard to our work, and are calling it in question. Some in their temptedcondition charge the difficulties and perplexities of the people of God to the testimonies of reproofthat we have given them. They think the trouble is with the ones who bear the message of warning,who point out the sins of the people and correct their errors. Many are deceived by the adversary of

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souls....They think that the people of God are not in need of plain dealing and of reproof, but thatGod is with them....What disposition will these make of the message of the True Witness to theLaodiceans? There can be no deception here. This message must be borne to a lukewarm church byGod's servants. It must arouse his people from their security and dangerous deception in regard totheir real standing before God. This testimony if received, will arouse to action, and lead toself-abasement and confession of sins...

"The people of God must see their wrongs, and arouse to zealous repentance, and a putting awayof those sins which have brought them into such a deplorable condition of poverty, blindness,wretchedness, and fearful deception. I was shown that the pointed testimony must live in thechurch. This alone will answer to the message to the Laodiceans. Wrongs must be reproved, sinmust be called sin, and iniquity must be met promptly and decidedly, and put away from us as apeople." Volume 3, pages 258-260.

"Arise, shine; For thy light has come, And the glory of the Lord Is risen upon thee." Isa 60:1.

__________________A Mother's Appeal By Mrs. E. Hermanson.

"But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming, and shall begin tosmite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall comein a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut himasunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites." Matt. 24:48-51.

As Adventists, we are taught by the above text that it does not refer only to being drunk with wine,but also with feasting. We can also be made drunk with the cares of this life. See Luke 21:34. Thislatter text tells us also that we must take heed lest at any time

As a member of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, and the mother of three children, it hasbeen my determination to train these children which God has given me in such a way that they mightbe faithful to God and His truth. It is a great trial to keep them from partaking of the so-calledpleasures of the world, and thereby from the spirit of the world, that they might not be misled in theirconception of what God desires of us as His faithful children. The task is not an easy one, and theresponsibility no less. It is in nowise lessened by taking part with those of the world.

In view of the warning given us in the Scriptures, it doesn't seem consistent that such programmesas the following should be sponsored by the faculty if we are to interest our children and youngpeople in the plain, pointed teachings of our Saviour. Young minds naturally do not grasp the seriousside of life, and with the numerous dates and events which are ever kept before them in this manner,it makes it difficult for them to be interested in striving "to enter in at the strait gate." Luke 13:24;Matt. 7:13.

The following are some of the events copied from "Weekly Bulletin" under dates of Nov. 14, andNov. 21, 1930, and issued by one of our leading institutions in Los Angeles.

Association News

The Interscholastic Faculty-Alumni Swimming Meet:...The big feature of the evening was a divingexhibition by Georgia Coleman, Women's national diving champion ....

November Supper Club: This promises to be another treat. A trio and reader from the Girl's GleeClub of U.S.C. will be a big feature. Bill Hunter, Director of Athletics at U.S.C. will give us a shorttalk on sportsmanship. Get your tickets early.

The faculty-senior baseball game last Tuesday resulted in a score of 3-13. This however, does notrightly represent the closeness of the contest as compared to previous engagements. A few moregames and the faculty will be holding its own provided however, H___ S___ and W____ (do not slugtoo many home runs. H___ holds the record so far,...

The Spirit of Prophecy, commenting on baseball, etc. says, "I was told by my Guide: 'Look ye, andbehold the idolatry of My people, to whom I have been speaking, rising up early, and presenting tothem their dangers. I looked that they should bring forth fruit.' There were some who were strivingfor the mastery, each trying to excel the other in the swift running of their bicycles. There was a spiritof strife and contention among them as to which should be the greatest. The spirit was similar to thatmanifested in the baseball games on the college ground. said my Guide: 'These things are an offenseto God. Both near and afar off souls are perishing for the bread of life and the water of salvation'."Volume 8, page 52.

Why take the young people to the Y.M.C.A. on Friday night to give them a health lecture? Couldit not be given in our own buildings? Why this tournament of the Golf Club on Friday morning? Arewe not told in the Scriptures that Friday is the preparation day for the Sabbath instead of a day ofpleasure? As a rule, if one makes the proper preparation, there is not much time to be lost.

There may be no objection to swimming, but what effect will this champion's skill and the athleticdirectors talk on "Sportsmanship"

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have on the youth? Will it create a greater desire to serve Christ?

How can we as mothers keep our children apart from the world if the faculty take them to theseinstitutions of the world, where they acquaint them with every element? Are we abiding by theprinciples upon which this denomination was founded? "For ye are the temple of the living God; asGod hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be mypeople. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord." 2 Cor. 6:16, 17.

In view of this onrushing torrent of apostasy headed by misled spiritual guides, in my estimation,the leopard beast of Rev. 13:1-3, has met a most striking fulfillment of symbolical prophecy--"all theworld wondered after the beast." The world in general has always been after the beast. For thisreason the world is in need of the gospel, but when God makes the statement "ALL the worldwondered after the beast," then it must be that those to whom God has given great light havepartaken of the spirit of the world, thus fulfilling the prophecy.

Bearing in mind our duty to the world and the third angel's message truly the burden on my heartfor the children and young people is a heavy one. I appeal to every loyal Seventh-day Adventist toarise with prayer and fasting against these so-called pleasures of the age, to save our children whilethe devil is seeking to deceive even the very elect.

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